Detection of Puccinia striiformis in Latently Infected Wheat Leaves by Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is one of the most devastating wheat diseases worldwide, especially in temperate regions with cool moist weather conditions. The identification of the pathogen in infected plants based on morphological or physiological criteria before sporulation is labour-intensive and time-consuming. To accelerate and simplify the process of detection, a nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay was developed for specific and sensitive detection of Pst. Specific primers Psta-Psts were designed according to a genome-specific sequence of Pst. In nested PCR, with a 10-fold dilution series of template DNA, the detection limit was 2 pg DNA in the first PCR with the primers Psta-Psts. The second round PCR was then performed using amplified products from the first PCR as the template and Nesta-Nests as the primers. An amplification signal was detectable even when only 2 fg of P. striiformis f. sp. tritici DNA was used as the template in nested PCR. With nested PCR, the sensitivity of detection was enhanced 1000 fold. Using extracts from stripe rust-infected wheat leaves, the fungus could be determined in the leaves before symptom appearance. The assay provides a rapid and sensitive method for detection of P. striiformis f. sp. tritici in latently infected leaves of overwintering wheat plants.