In this paper we describe the development of reliable PCR-procedures for the specific discrimination and quantification of Psv, Psn and Psf, both in vitro and in planta as epiphytes, by End Point PCR and Real-Time PCR, using two different technologies, the SYBR® Green I detection dye and three pathovar-specific TaqMan® hybridisation probes. Primers and probes specific for Psv, Psn and

Psf were designed upon the sequence data of Y-27632 nmr cloned fragments, previously amplified in Repetitive-sequence-based PCR (Rep-PCR) experiments with strains belonging to the three pathovars of P. savastanoi examined in this study using Enterobacterial Repetitive Intragenic Consensus (ERIC) primers [48]. These procedures have high sensitivity, specificity, rapidity and represent valid and innovative diagnostic tools that can suit all phytopathological laboratories, according to their equipment and skills, in order to promote and encourage the use of molecular detection methods for Psv in the frame of the certification ML323 chemical structure programs for olive

propagation materials. Results Identification of P. savastanoi pathovar-specific sequences by ERIC-PCR and design of pathovar-specific primers The identities of P. savastanoi stiripentol strains shown in Table 1 were confirmed by 16S rDNA sequencing and pathogenicity trials (data not shown). On these strains, Rep-PCR experiments this website with ERIC1R and ERIC2 primers were performed and the results referring to some representative strains for each P. savastanoi pathovar examined are shown in Figure 1. The genomic ERIC-PCR profiles were highly reproducible; they consisted of bands ranging in size from 400 to

5,000 bp and were pathovar-specific. For each P. savastanoi pathovar at least a single and unique band, appearing in all the strains belonging to the same pathovar, was detected. The sizes were approximately 1,600, 830 and 1,350 bp in Psv, Psn and Psf, respectively (Figure 1). These pathovar-specific bands were then separately isolated and purified from agarose gels, cloned and analyzed for their nucleotidic sequences composition. Each band was demonstrated to consist of several fragments of the same size but having different nucleotidic sequences, which were then individually DIG-labeled and used as probes in dot blot hybridization experiments performed under high stringency with the genomic DNAs of Psv, Psn and Psf previously blotted to nylon film (data not shown).