Full Text                                                                            Full-Text Online        Faster, Simpler, More-Specific Methods for Improved Molecular Detection of Phytophthora ramorum in the Field Tomlinson. J. A      Barker. I      Boonham. N       Applied and Environmental Microbiology ;  2007  [Vol.73]  Pages:4040-4047 Abstract Phytophthora ramorum is the causal agent of sudden oak death. The pathogen also affects a wide range of tree,shrub, and herbaceous species in natural and landscaped environments as well as plants in the nursery industry. A TaqMan real-time PCR method for the detection of this pathogen in the field has been described previously; this paper describes the development of a number of assays based on this method which have various advantages for use in the field. A scorpion real-time PCR assay that is twice as fast as TaqMan was developed, allowing the detection of P. ramorum in less than 30 min. Also designed was a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay, which allowed sensitive and specific detection of P. ramorum in 45 min using only a heated block. A positive reaction was identified by the detection of the LAMP product by color change visible to the naked eye. Keywords