Detection of Ramularia collo-cygni from winter barley (Hordeum vulgare) using a quantitative real-time PCR
A. MÄE (1), P. Sooväli (2) (1) Estonian Crop Research Institute, Estonia; (2) Estonian Crop Research Institute, Estonia

The main problem in breeding barley cultivars for Ramularia collo-cygni (Rcc) resistance is the screening. Rcc field screening has some limitations; it is slow, time-consuming and depends strongly on the presence of the proper environmental conditions such as humidity, temperature, sun-light and simultaneous presence of other fungal and bacterial pathogens. The main objective of the present study was to develop a reliable PCR detection of Rcc in leaf of winter barley varieties “Fredericus” and “Cinderella” that helps in the development of a successful disease management in the early phase of infection, including symptomless Rcc infection from vegetative to reproductive stages of the host plants. For a sensitive experiment, the desired PCR primers must be highly specific as there may be a number of other fungal or bacterial saprophytes or pathogens present on the surface of the leaf which will be extracted as well as Ramularia. A relationship between Rcc DNA levels and disease symptoms was established in winter barley under natural infection conditions. Pathogen extracted from barley leaves could be quantified to the picogram level in both leaves showing symptoms of infection and symptomless barley leaves. 

Abstract Number: P18-685
Session Type: Poster