Alternative Molecular-Based Diagnostic Methods of Plant Pathogenic Fungi Affecting Berry Crops—A Review

Abstract

Increasing consumer awareness of potentially harmful pesticides used in conventional agriculture has prompted organic farming to become notably more prevalent in recent decades. Central European countries are some of the most important producers of blueberries, raspberries and strawberries in the world and organic cultivation methods for these fruits have a significant market share. Fungal pathogens are considered to be the most significant threat to organic crops of berries, causing serious economic losses and reducing yields. In order to ameliorate the harmful effects of pathogenic fungi on cultivations, the application of rapid and effective identification methods is essential. At present, various molecular methods are applied for fungal species recognition, such as PCR, qPCR, LAMP and NGS.

How Do Trichoderma Genus Fungi Win a Nutritional Competition Battle against Soft Fruit Pathogens? A Report on Niche Overlap Nutritional Potentiates

“…The crucial plant pathogens are those from the fungal genera Colletotrichum, Botrytis as well as Verticillium and fungal-like Phytophthora. These pathogens may wreak havoc, especially in organic production [ 5 ].…”

Endophytic Trichoderma Species Isolated from Persea americana and Cinnamomum verum Roots Reduce Symptoms Caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi in Avocado

“…They were transferred to fresh PDA to obtain pure cultures by the single conidium technique. A Phytophthora cinnamomi (CPO-PCU) was isolated on V8 juice agar medium amended with chloramphenicol at 20 µg mL −1 and then incubated in the dark at 28 °C for 72 h. The plates were examined, and they showed morphological characteristics (hyphal swellings, chlamydospore and sporangium) similar to P. cinnamomi [ 5 , 22 ].…”

“…The oomycete P. cinnamomi was incubated on PDA for 7 days. For the production of sporangia of P. cinnamomi , agar discs (5 mm in diameter) with mycelia were placed into 500-mL flasks with V8 juice liquid medium [ 5 ] and incubated at 28 °C for 8 days. Subsequently, the flasks were placed at 4 °C for 5 min; after that, the number of zoospores per milliliter was quantified with a hemocytometer.…”

“…Avocado seeds var. drymifolia were collected from trees in the municipality of Atlixco in Puebla, Mexico, which has been recognized as having moderate resistance to infection by P. cinnamomi [ 5 ]. They were disinfested with 3% sodium hypochlorite for 10 min, rinsed with sterile distilled water, and planted in plastic pots.…”

“…Avocado root rot is the major disease caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands; this same oomycete infects a wide host range of wild and cultivated plants worldwide. This disease severely affects avocado plantations representing a threat to natural ecosystems [ 4 , 5 ].…”