4 research outputs found
Resistance of grapevine to the erineum strain of Colomerus vitis (Acari: Eriophyidae) in western Iran and its correlation with plant features.
Trisetacus juniperinus (Nalepa) sensu Keifer (Acari: Eriophyoidea: Phytoptidae)
causes irregular development of buds, shoot deformations and stunted growth of trees,
resulting in a serious threat to nurseries and young stands of Cupressus sempervirens L.
(Mediterranean cypress). Recently, some cypress clones selected for their resistance to the
fungal canker agent Seiridium cardinale (Wag.) have shown high susceptibility to the mite.
Considering its tiny body, its hidden lifestyle inside the buds and the probable occurrence
of other species (the vagrant Epitrimerus cupressi (Keifer) is common on the Mediterranean
cypress in Italy), detection and monitoring of T. juniperinus require taxonomic
expertise and are often time-consuming and challenging before serious damage is discernible.
In the present study, a rapid, cost-effective PCR-based method was developed and
validated to detect T. juniperinus on cypresses. The cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene
was amplified with degenerate and specific primers, but the latter were the only ones able
to discriminate between T. juniperinus and E. cupressi. PCR products distinguished the
two species both in a pool of individuals in a mixed population of both species and in
single individuals, indicating the sensitivity of the detection method. PCRâRFLP
(restriction fragment length polymorphism) by means of XmnI and XbaI endonucleases
separated the two species. Furthermore, a washing-sieving protocol was used to make mite
collection from the tree sample faster and simpler; this procedure did not interfere with the
molecular detection of the species. The possibility of the routine use of this assay to
monitor quarantine eriophyoids infesting plant material is discussed