Pratylenchus penetrans is one of the most economically damaging plant-parasitic nematodes and is found on a wide variety of crops. Correct identification and quantification of this nematode are necessary for providing advice to farmers, but are not easily obtained with the traditional way of microscopic observation. We developed a qPCR assay to detect and quantify P. penetrans in a short but accurate manner. A qPCR primer set, including two primers and a TaqMan probe, was designed based on the sequence of the β-1,4-endoglucanase gene. The assay was optimized by using the primers in a qPCR assay with SYBR green I dye and setting the qPCR program to different annealing temperatures ranging from 60 °C to 64 °C. Based on the Ct-values, we retained the program with an annealing temperature of 63 °C. The assay with the probe was very sensitive as it was able to detect a single individual of P. penetrans, even when mixed with up to 80 individuals of P. thornei. The specificity of the reaction was confirmed by the lack of amplification of DNA from 28 populations of 18 other Pratylenchus species and from plant-parasitic nematodes from nine other genera. DNA from 21 different isolates from P. penetrans was amplified. DNA extraction from 80 individuals and quantification by qPCR was repeated four times; Ct-values showed consistent results (Ct = 24.4 ± 0.4). A dilution series from DNA of P. penetrans resulted in a standard curve showing a highly significant linearity between the Ct-values and the dilution rates (R2 = 0.99; slope = −3.23; E = 104 %). The tests showed a high correlation between the real numbers of nematodes and the numbers detected by the qPCR. The developed qPCR assay provides a sensitive means for the rapid detection and reliable quantification of individuals of this pest. This method does not require expertise in nematode taxonomy and morphology, and can be used as a rapid diagnostic tool in research, as well as in diagnostic labs and extension services advising farmers for pest management.

 

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Acknowledgments

The first author thanks the awarding of a PhD scholarship from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). The authors wish to warmly thank Ms Nancy de Sutter for maintaining the Pratylenchus populations. We also express our gratitude to Mr. Rachid Tahzima for his valuable comments on this manuscript. We finally thank Dr. Benaouda Hassan, Director of INRA Kenitra (Morocco), and Mr. Tahiri sidi Mohamed, for the logistic assistance during the field sampling.

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Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Agricultural Research, (INRA), Km 9, 14000, Kenitra, Morocco

    Fouad Mokrini

  2. Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research, Plant, Crop Protection, Burg. Van Gansberghelaan 96, B-9820, Merelbeke, Belgium

    Fouad Mokrini, Lieven Waeyenberge, Nicole Viaene & Maurice Moens

  3. Faculty of Bio-science engineering, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Fouad Mokrini & Maurice Moens

  4. Department of Biology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Nicole Viaene

  5. Scientific Division, National Institute of Agricultural Research, BP415RP, Rabat, Morocco

    Fouad Abbad Andaloussi

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maurice Moens.

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Mokrini, F., Waeyenberge, L., Viaene, N. et al. Quantitative detection of the root-lesion nematode, Pratylenchus penetrans, using qPCR. Eur J Plant Pathol 137, 403–413 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-013-0252-1

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