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Tuta absoluta Meyr. is an invasive alien species that entered the territory of Ukraine as a result of anthropogenic factors in 2010 with a shipment of infected tomatoes from Turkey. Visual inspection and pheromone traps were used to detect and register the South American tomato moth, which were installed according to the generally accepted methodology. The analysis of the current state of distribution of the South American tomato moth in Ukraine and the world was carried out according to the data of the Department of Phytosanitary Safety in the fields of seed and nursery production of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Rights Protection. To achieve the goals, the ways and reasons for penetration were determined T. absoluta to Ukraine. Setting the quarantine status of harmful organisms in Ukraine in 2023 using lists A-1 and A-2 of the "List of regulated harmful organisms". The quarantine status of the American tomato moth has been established in Ukraine in 2023. As the results of study we determined the dynamics of the distribution and number of the pest from 2015 to 2023; and the area of pest infestation in Ukraine and in each infected region; the number of infected regions, districts, cities, settlements, homesteads, farms of all forms of ownership from 2015 to 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mealybug can severely threaten agricultural and horticultural crops and has a widespread distribution in tropical regions, particularly in high-risk invasion areas such as Hainan, which is an important trade port with superior geographical conditions. Traditional morphological methods can no longer meet the requirements for the rapid and precise identification of different insect stages or debris. DNA barcoding has been used to establish efficient molecular identification tools. In this study, a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) assay based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was successfully constructed for the rapid identification of mealybugs. The 5′ end COI gene fragments of 12 mealybug species were amplified and sequenced. Furthermore, an mPCR assay was established to identify three common mealybug species in Hainan, namely Dysmicoccus neobrevipes, Maconellicoccus hirsutus, and Paracoccus marginatus. Condition optimization, sensitivity detection, and field sample testing results prove that the assay can identify the three target species through a single PCR amplification. A sample DNA concentration of as low as 0.1–1 ng/μL can be detected. Additionally, the assay in conjunction with barcode sequencing can identify mealybugs collected in the field, clarifying the distribution and host plants of 12 mealybug species commonly found in Hainan. Thus, the rapid identification of important mealybug species is realized. The establishment of this technology provides an economical and efficient molecular tool for the quarantine and monitoring of mealybugs in Hainan and other regions, which are essential for the detection, monitoring, and early warning of invasive organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies may be a useful tool for testing imported plant germplasm for multiple pathogens present in a sample, offering strain-generic detection not offered by most PCR-based assays. Metatranscriptomics (RNAseq) and tiled amplicon PCR (TA-PCR) were tested as HTS-based techniques to detect viruses present in low titres. Strawberry mottle virus (SMoV), an RNA virus, and strawberry vein banding virus (SVBV), a DNA virus, were selected for comparison of RNAseq and TA-PCR with quantitative PCR assays. RNAseq of plant ribosomal RNA-depleted samples of low viral titre was used to obtain datasets from 3 M to 120 M paired-end (PE) reads. RNAseq demonstrated PCR-like sensitivity, able to detect as few as 10 viral copies/µL when 60 million (M) PE reads were generated. The custom TA-PCR primer panels designed for each virus were successfully used to recover most of the reference genomes for each virus. Single- and multiple-target TA-PCR allowed the detection of viruses in samples with around 10 viral copies/µL with a minimum continuous sequence length recovery of 500 bp. The limit of detection of the HTS-based protocols described here is comparable to that of quantitative PCR assays. This work lays the groundwork for an increased flexibility in HTS detection of plant viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Mycosystema is the property of Mycosystema Editorial Board and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Sri Lankan Cassava Mosaic Virus (SLCMV) has emerged as a significant threat to cassava production in Southeast Asia since its initial detection in Cambodia in 2015, with recent outbreaks in Vietnam and Thailand and its first detection in Australia in 2024. This viral disease, transmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci and infected planting materials, poses a substantial risk to Indonesia's cassava industry. Studies from affected countries demonstrate yield losses of 16-33% and starch content reductions of 22-38% in infected plants. This review analyzes SLCMV's current status and potential impacts on Indonesian cassava production and proposes management strategies based on regional experiences. We identify critical risk factors, including widespread vector presence and informal planting material exchange networks. Recommended preventive measures include strengthening quarantine systems, implementing enhanced surveillance programs, developing rapid diagnostic capabilities, and establishing clean seed certification systems. Our findings emphasize the urgent need for coordinated action to protect Indonesia's cassava industry from this emerging pathogen.

Bacterial wilt strains in the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC) pose serious threats to economically important crops worldwide. In 2014, Safni et al. proposed the reclassification of the RSSC into three genomospecies: R. solanacearum (Rsol), R. pseudosolanacearum (Rpseu), and R. syzygii (Rsyz). The revision requires the proper identification of strains for diagnostic and epidemiological studies. In response, we developed the inexpensive and user-friendly RSSC-Lineage Multiplex PCR, which effectively detects plant-pathogenic Ralstonia strains in general and also distinguishes between Rpseu, Rsol, Rsyz, and the high-security Select Agent “race 3 biovar 2” subgroup of Rsol, also known as the phylotype IIB-1 potato brown rot pandemic lineage. Genomes were retrieved from the NCBI GenBank database and screened for unique gene regions using OrthoMCL and other comparative genomic approaches. Specific primers were designed for each genomospecies, Ralstonia in general, and “race 3 biovar 2.” AT-rich flaps were added at the 5ʹ position of each primer to optimize the reaction thermodynamics. The specificity was tested in silico using the NCBI GenBank genome database and an in-house database. The in vitro specificity and accuracy of the tool was validated with 113 representative Ralstonia strains and 24 strains from other genera. The assay is highly specific, generating neither false positives nor false negatives. Primer set detection limits ranged from 10 to 100 pg. The assay also detected and differentiated strains from naturally and artificially inoculated plant hosts. This tool is highly specific, reliable, and economical for culture characterization, diagnostics, surveys, quarantine decisions, and epidemiological studies. [Figure: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Three Japanese conifer-infesting gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), Aschistonyx eppoi Inouye on Juniperus chinensis var. globosa, Dasineura nipponica Inouye on Larix kaempferi, and Janetiella kimurai Inouye on Pinus parviflora are redescribed based on specimens kept in the collection of Naturalis Biodiversity Center, The Netherlands, in the collection of Kyushu University, Japan, and those newly obtained in 2021 and 2022 from their type localities in Japan. In the redescriptions, we refer mainly to morphological features not sufficiently given in the original descriptions. For A. eppoi, a genus Byakushincecis is created. We provide genetic data of the three species for future taxonomic and phylogenetic studies. In addition, we identified Byakushincecis eppoi infesting bonsai of Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii at a nursery garden in Saitama, Japan. These trees were intended for export to the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Proper organization of state quarantine phytosanitary control (supervision) is a factor affecting the state of economic and food security, since it involves the application of measures aimed at preventing the penetration and spread of biological organisms harmful to the crop industry. The legal norms regulating the organization of state phytosanitary control (supervision) form one of the most important legal institutions in the structure of administrative and legal regulation of the agro-industrial complex.Materials and Methods. The study was conducted using general scientific methodology (analysis, synthesis, dialectical and system-structural methods), as well as the formal legal method. For this purpose, the necessary regulatory and legal framework was used, and the scientific argumentation of the formulated ideas was based on the study of theoretical sources, in which topical issues of the legal organization of public administration, control and supervisory activities and plant quarantine were considered.Analysis. The main directions of the analysis are the problems of organizing and implementing state quarantine phytosanitary control (supervision) with a statement of the circumstances that prevent the normal implementation of control and supervisory measures.Results. The expediency of legislative registration of the monitoring of the quarantine phytosanitary condition of the territory of the Russian Federation and the measures of administrative coercion applied during its implementation in the form of an integral part of the state quarantine phytosanitary control (supervision) has been established. Further development of its regulatory and legal regulation may be associated with the unification of terminology affecting such measures as inspection and inspection. The conclusion is formulated about the need to take organizational and legal measures to increase the level of material and technical security of the relevant bodies and officials.

Interception data of insects collected at quarantine borders across China were crosschecked with incursion data from 2003 to 2016. In total, 83,983 insect interceptions were recorded across quarantine borders, involving 1,458 insect species. The species interception index at the family level was calculated to make each insect family comparable. Among the intercepted families, eight families that harm woody plants were intercepted at a high frequency, of which Noctuidae was the most intercepted family. In contrast, seventeen families that harm non-woody plants had a high interception frequency, of which the Silvanidae had the highest species interception frequency. Among the 1,458 intercepted insect species, 147 species were included in a list of quarantine insects in China. In terms of insect species, thirteen species had a high interception frequency (intercepted > 100 times or the cumulative yearly interception = 10 years), accounting for 90.1% of the total interceptions. Among these 13 species, ten species have become established in mainland China, with eight species specifically harmful to woody plants. Looking at the extent of insect pest interceptions, corresponding control measures should be initiated to minimize impacts to natural forests. These results show that border quarantine surveys can help identify and target control measures against invasive alien species. Still, the current quarantine system needs further improvement to successfully prevent alien species from crossing the border and spreading in natural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Blueberry red ringspot virus (BRRSV) and blueberry scorch virus (BlScV) are included in the quarantine virus list managed by the Korean Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency. A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay with an internal control was developed for the simultaneous detection of both viruses. The specific primers used here were designed based on the highly conserved regions of the genomic sequences of each virus, obtained from the National Center for Biotechnology Information nucleotide databases. The primers were designed to amplify a partial sequence within coat protein (CP) for detecting BRRSV and a partial sequence within the CP-16 kDa for detecting BlScV. 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) was used as internal control, and the primer set used in a previous study was modified in this study for detecting 18S rRNA. Each conventional PCR using the BRRSV, BlScV, and 18S rRNA primers exhibited a sensitivity of approximately 1 fg plasmid DNA. The multiplex PCR assay using the BRRSV, BlScV, and 18S rRNA primers was effective in simultaneously detecting the two viruses and 18S rRNA with a sensitivity of 1 fg plasmid DNA, similar to that of conventional PCR assays. The multiplex PCR assay developed in this study was performed using 14 blueberry cultivars grown in South Korea. BRRSV and BlScV were not detected, but 18S rRNA was all detected in all the plants tested. Therefore, our optimized multiplex PCR assay could simultaneously detect the two viruses and 18S rRNA in field samples collected from South Korea in a time-efficient manner. This approach could be valuable in crop protection and plant quarantine management.

The causative agents of grain crops bacteriosis viz. Pseudomonas fuscovaginae , Pseudomonas syringae and Xanthomonas translucens are regulated by phytosanitary requirements of the largest importers of Russian grain - Egypt, Turkey, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Pakistan. Therefore, it requires the development of rapid methods for their diagnosis. The PCR method, which is the fastest and most reliable in testing laboratories, needs optimal preparation of the test material. The aim of the study was to optimize the process of preparing seed samples for subsequent detection and identification of P. fuscovaginae, P. syringae and X. translucens by PCR. Wheat grain samples were soaked in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 2 hours and infected with suspensions of P. fuscovaginae, P. syringae pv. coronafaciens and X. translucens at various concentrations. Then, the infected grain samples were crushed and subjected to two-stage centrifugation. DNA was isolated from the obtained analytical samples and species-specific PCR was performed for each bacterial species. It was found that a two-hour soaking of the seeds and their treatment with a homogenizer is sufficient to effectively destroy each grain in the sample and ensure the release of bacteria into the liquid part of the sample. The first low-speed centrifugation allowed the crushed grain to settle efficiently and remove excess starch from the supernatant. High-speed centrifugation of the supernatant made it possible to obtain a concentrated microbiota contained in the grain sample. To obtain DNA of sufficient quality for PCR test, the kit Proba-GS (AgroDiagnostika, Russia) was used for DNA extraction. Using Pseudomonas fuscovaginae-RT kit (Syntol, Russia) and PsyF/PsyR and 4F1/4R 1 primers, DNA of P. fuscovaginae P. syringae and X. translucens , respectively, was successfully detected in each of the samples infected with these bacteria at concentrations of 103 CFU/ml. The absence of PCR inhibition was noted. The method of removing starch from samples for molecular diagnostics of phytopathogens was used for the first time. Application of these methods will allow diagnosing pathogens of bacterioses within one day.

Taking the exploration and practice of the ideological and political teaching reform of the course “plant quarantine” in College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University as an example, this paper analyzed the importance and necessity of the ideological and political construction in the professional course “plant quarantine”. The curriculum ideological and political teaching reform was explored from three aspects: improving teachers’ ideological and political education ability, combining “theoretical ideological and political education” and “practical ideological and political education”, and exploring diversified curriculum ideological and political teaching methods, so as to construct a full integration ideological and political system(the full-staff education, the whole-process education, all-round education) and achieve the combination of “building morality and cultivating talents”. Furthermore, this paper put forward the prospect of curriculum construction to fully implement the “three all-round education” policy, such as improving the top-level teaching design, optimizing and integrating educational resources, and perfecting the multi-assessment and evaluation mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are 42 species (genera) quarantine pests on potatoes in the common list of quarantine pests of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which reflects the concerns of EAEU members in the quarantine of imported potatoes. A brief summary was given to the EAEU list of potato quarantine pests, and a brief description of the distribution, hosts, and hazards was given to 14 species (genera), which are less reported in China, with a view of providing early warning information reference on potential invasive alien species of potato in China, and offering countermeasures for Chinese potato exports to EAEU and suggestions for the development of potato industry in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An overview of bacterial causative agents of soft (wet) rot of potatoes is given, the epidemiological and etiological aspects of the diseases caused by them are analyzed. When preparing the article, general scientific methods were used: generalization, comparison, system analysis. Data from the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EOPO), as well as data from phytosanitary services of EU countries and Ukraine, scientific literature served as material for the analytical study. Trade in plant materials, including potato seed tubers and ornamental plants, is largely responsible for the widespread distribution of pathogens. Locally, pathogens are also spread through plant debris, soil, waterways, aerosols, alternative hosts, and/or farm machinery. The main causative agents of bacterial wet rot of potatoes are gramnegative bacteria of the genera Pectobacterium and Dickeya and quarantine phytopathogens of the genera Clavibacter and Ralstonia. The main methods of detection and identification in asymptomatic potato tubers on an industrial scale are: phytopathological (visual examination of plantations and registration of symptoms of soft rot), microbiological (cultural-morphological and biochemical method, use of test systems for accelerated identification of microorganisms), immunoenzymatic ( enzyme immunosorbent assay), molecular genetic (PCR with specific primers, BIOLOG, DNA fingerprinting and nucleotide sequencing). To date, there are no completely effective pesticides to control all pathogens, so disease control measures will continue to rely primarily on avoiding infection during plant cultivation, and especially during the production of healthy certified seed. For a crop like potatoes, this is primarily based on obtaining bacteria-free minibulbs, applying strict seed certification schemes and strict phytosanitary restrictions. Knowledge of the sources of pathogens and routes of infection should be the basis for the application of phytosanitary measures, especially during and after harvest. Control of quarantine phytopathogens requires special attention. Soft rot pathogens are the main cause of limiting potato production in many regions of the world, particularly Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicum and R. solanacearum are quarantine objects of the A-2 list of the European and Mediterranean Organization for Quarantine and Plant Protection. Upon entering our country, R. solanacearum has a high probability of acclimatization and spread in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family Drosophilidae includes over 3750 species worldwide and over 2000 of these are species of Drosophila. Spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii is one of the most dangerous species in this family. The insects live on undamaged ripening fruits, using its peculiar serrated ovipositor to break the skin of fresh ripening fruits and lay eggs in it. Drosophila species are very difficult and practically impossible to detect at larval stages. The present investigation was conducted at the All-Russian Plant Quarantine Center and Agrarian and Technological Institute of RUDN University, Moscow, Russia in 20182020. The aim of this study was to investigate the method of accurate and rapid identification of D. suzukii, and to design specific primer pairs for pest identification by Real-Time PCR method. The real-time quantitative PCR is a fast, sensitive, repeatable and accurate method for quantifying gene transcript levels. In this study, we designed specific primers (4.Dsuz.FRP) for Real-Time PCR to identify D. suzukii from other relative species. Although D. suzukii is absent in the Russian Federation and has not been reported so far, the project could be a precautionary measure.

Synchytrium endobioticum (Schilb.) Percival. is a pathogen of potato wart disease and has a restricted distribution on the territory of the Russian Federation. Its main pathways are infected potato tubers and different planting material containing soil particles infected with spores of the fungus. One of the main problems is the use of toxic chemicals during detecting the disease in laboratory methods of direct soil testing to identify resting spores. This paper presents the assessment of molecular methods of soil diagnosis for detection of S. endobioticum by direct extraction of fungal DNA from soil samples using the MetaGen reagent kit. Identification was performed using the Fitoskrin. Synchytrium endobioticum-RT kit. The kit was pre-tested using DNA isolated from potato warts by various commercial kits. It was found that the optimal method of DNA isolation from the warts was using the FitoSorb-Avtomat 48 kit at the Tecan robotic station. Studies have shown that the sensitivity of the direct DNA extraction method from soil samples with various infection levels is the same as that of flotation method using carbon tetrachloride. Moreover, this method makes it possible to work with soil samples of different types, including peaty soils.

With an ever-increasing global population, and negligible concurrent increase in available land for agriculture, effective plant protection regulations are important in safeguarding the bio-security and world's future. The essential efforts should be emphasized on minimizing the crop losses (10–30%) due to ravages of insect pests, diseases, weeds, nematodes, vertebrate pests, etc. Enforcement of plant quarantine regulations and prevention of entry of exotic pests are playing a crucial role in safeguarding Indian agriculture. Sugarcane is an economically important crop of India. Quarantine regulations play a significant role to restrict the entry of sugarcane pests/diseases of quarantine significance from other countries. Despite having a very robust plant quarantine regulations in India, few challenging issues still need to be addressed and revised in order to ensure desired level of bio-security in sugarcane cultivation. Besides monitoring the diseases and insect pests already listed in Schedules IV and V of the PQ order 2003, it is equally imperative to continuously monitor the current global scenario for emergence of new pests and diseases of economic importance which may pose a threat to sugarcane cultivation in India. Also, there is a need to regulate interstate sugarcane seed movement within India in order to restrict the pest movement through introduction of domestic quarantine under the Destructive Insects & Pests Act (1914). In this article, up-to-date strengths and challenges of plant quarantine regulations in India are discussed with special reference to sugarcane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing number of plant viruses and viroids have been reported from all over the world due largely to metavirogenomics approaches with technological innovation. Herein, the official changes of virus taxonomy, including the establishment of megataxonomy and amendments of the codes of virus classification and nomenclature, recently made by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses were summarized. The continued efforts of the plant virology community of Japan to index all plant viruses and viroids occurring in Japan, which represent 407 viruses, including 303 virus species and 104 unclassified viruses, and 25 viroids, including 20 species and 5 unclassified viroids, as of October 2021, were also introduced. These viruses and viroids are collectively classified into 81 genera within 26 families of 3 kingdoms (Shotokuvirae, Orthornavirae, Pararnavirae) across 2 realms (Monodnaviria and Riboviria). This review also overviewed how Japan's plant virus/viroid studies have contributed to advance virus/viroid taxonomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

D. melanogaster is one of the most harmful citrus fruit flies having a large number of host plants. The molecular diagnostic method has been created for identification the D. melanogaster from another non-quarantine species Drosophila spp. The proposed method for differentiation is to use the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I gene region 709-bp. We amplified samples of DNA with primers Droso-S391 and Droso-A381 by D. melanogaster, D. suzukii, and D. Simulans collections in the laboratory samples from many countries and contrasted with sequences of other GenBank Drosophila taxa. The findings of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on DNA sequence polymorphisms showed that these primers accurately identify the area of the gene as well as the unique primers of Drosophila melanogaster.

In this article, we have tried to introduce "invasive alien species" and explain their environmental and agricultural importance. Because of the similarity between plant pests, pathogens, weeds and invasive alien species, in terms of damage to plants and environment, therefore the fight against these factors has been included in plant protection and quarantine duties. And "protection of the environment, forests and biodiversity against plant pests" has become one of the four main tasks of plant quarantine services. "Invasive alien species" (considered "Plant quarantine pests" under the International Plant Protection Convention, IPPC), have been identified as the second most important threat to biodiversity, after "natural habitats destruction and loss". Therefore, the Convention on Biological Diversity and IPPC, both obliged to deal with "invasive alien species". Other mechanisms, such as Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, the Codex Alimentarius, and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety are also effective mechanisms in strengthening plant quarantine and facilitating the invasive alien species management. In addition to these institutions, more than eight other international organizations, in the form of the Biodiversity Liaison Group (BLG), contribute to the protection of biodiversity resources. Finally, while explaining the role of BLG members, in the management of invasive alien species and environmental protection, we will discuss managerial interference and their effective synergy in achieving this important and vital purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae), distributes in most soft‐skinned fruit areas in China, is an economically important pest of fresh cherries during Sino‐European trade and is considered a quarantine pest in A2 list by European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization. Loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is an accurate, quick and convenient molecular identification method, applied to distinguish D. suzukii from other fruit flies. This method can be used for inspection in the field, and at the points of entry (POEs), because its results can be detected with the naked eye due to colour changes. In our study, first, we reported a simple and fast LAMP colorimetric detection method for molecular identification of D. suzukii. We designed primer sets for D. suzukii based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) sequences. The specificity and sensitivity of the primers were tested by using target and non‐target fruit flies in the family Drosophilidae and Tephritidae, usually intercepted during the Sino‐European cherry trade. Second, for detection in the field and at POEs, the adoption of a quick DNA extraction method could save the total time of LAMP identification to about 90 min. Taken together, this accurate, quick and convenient LAMP‐based colorimetric identification assay combined with a quick DNA extraction method could visually detect clearly with just one portable heating device, which will be useful for rapid on‐site identification and inspection for D. suzukii by the quarantine department. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the genetic variation in the sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (DNA barcode region) and some other regions of mitochondrial DNA of sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius (Fabricius, 1798) (Coleoptera: Brentidae), and West Indian sweet potato weevil, Euscepes postfasciatus (Fairmaire, 1849) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in Japan. In the DNA barcode region of C. formicarius, 139 haplotypes were detected from 1705 individuals belonging to 46 geographical populations. In the maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree, haplotypes found in Japan were mainly divided into three clades. In the DNA barcode region of E. postfasciatus, two haplotypes were detected from 82 individuals belonging to eight geographical populations. Of those haplotypes, Hap 1 was detected from the Nansei Islands, Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga, while Hap 2 was detected from the Nansei Islands and Samoa. These results suggest that the Japanese populations of both the species were derived from several foreign countries. Based on the haplotype network analyses of some other gene regions, those regions may be useful for a more detailed estimation of the origin of an accidentally collected individual in non-distribution area in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Mycosystema is the property of Mycosystema Editorial Board and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The DNA barcodes were developed from ITS region for the identification of fungal plant pathogens namely, Alternaria alternata and A. tenuissima both causing leaf spots, Ascochyta rabiei causing Ascochyta blight, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris causing wilt, Macrophomina phaseolina causing dry root rot, Rhizoctonia solani causing web blight and wet root rot, Sclerotium (Athelia) rolfsii causing collar rot, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum causing stem rot and Cercospora canescens and Pseudocercospora cruenta both causing leaf spots in pulse crops. Barcode compliance for A. alternata (DBTPQ001-18), A. tenuissima (DBTPQ002-18), A. rabiei (DBTPQ003-18), F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris (DBTPQ004-18), M. phaseolina (DBTPQ005-18), R. solani (DBTPQ006-18), S. rolfsii (DBTPQ007-18), S. sclerotiorum (DBTPQ008-18), C. canescens (DBTPQ009-18) and P. cruenta (DBTPQ029-20) have been generated based on the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD) system. In addition to ITS, other genomic regions were also explored and on the basis of sequence variation they were ranked as TEF-α > SSU > LSU > β-tubulin. These genes could be considered for secondary barcode and phylogenetic relatedness. ITS-based markers for the detection of A. alternata (BAA2aF and BAA2aR) and R. solani (BRS17cF and BRS17cR) were developed which provided 400 bp and 220 bp amplicons, respectively. While, for F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris, COX1-based marker (FOCox1F and FOCox3R) was developed which amplified 150 bp. The markers proved highly specific and sensitive with detection limit of 0.0001 ng of template DNA using qPCR and simultaneously detected these three pathogens. The DNA barcodes and diagnostics developed are suitable for quick and reliable detection of these pathogens during quarantine processing and field diagnostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on an evaluation of the publications of the Journal für Kulturpflanzen and its predecessor journals up to the first issue in 1921, the development of the discipline of plant health over the last 100 years is traced. Already in the first volume, plant health regulations can be found as well as information on the quarantine pest potato wart (Synchytrium endobioticum), which is still relevant today. Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) and San José scale (Comstockapsis perniciosa) are in focus in the 1930 s and in the post-war period. Potato cyst nematodes (Globodera pallida and G. rostochiensis) and potato bacterioses (Ralstonia solanacearum, Clavibacter sepedonicus) as well as fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) gain importance in the later years. At the turn of the millennium, increasing attention is also paid to harmful organisms in forests or urban green areas (e.g. Anoplophora glabripennis, Dothistroma pini). With the evaluation, developments can be shown that still determine the plant health system today. Surveys and pest risk analyses are important elements in this context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection of Acidovorax citrulli requires new highly specific methods based on qPCR. The goal of the study was to develop a new qPCR-based test for the identification of A.citrulli. By clustering the protein sequences of nine A.citrulli genomes and nine A.avenae genomes, using the CD-HIT program, 153 protein clusters present in all nine A.citrulli strains and absent in all A.avenae strains were identified. The resulting clusters were compared with known protein sequences (nr) using the BLASTp program to determine their specificity for A.citrulli. Coding sequences of A.citrulli-specific proteins were used for the selection of primers and the probe. The specificity of qPCR was tested by using the DNA of six A.citrulli strains and 188 nontarget bacteria strains. As a result of the search for A.citrulli-specific protein sequences, the S-box PAS domain protein was identified. The performed qPCR tests showed 100% specificity both when testing target strains (all reactions were positive) and for nontarget strains (all reactions were negative). A new qPCR test for the identification of A. citrulli, based on the sequence encoding the S-box protein of the PAS domain was developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quarantine pests of legumes pose a threat to many countries of the world including Russia. Pests that can enter the country as a result of the transportation of regulated articles (by sea, air, road, rail, etc.) pose a particular danger (Shutova, 1970; Dankvert et al., 2009). Monitoring and identification of legume pests is complicated by the fact that small beetles have a hidden mode of life. One of the most dangerous quarantine pest is the fourspotted bean weevil Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), which is widespread throughout the world and can cause serious economic losses in agriculture of Russia. Research work on the identification, synthesis and laboratory evaluation of the synthetic sex pheromone of Callosobruchus maculatus was carried out at the All-Russia Plant Quarantine Center (Bykovo, Moscow region). Tests have shown that synthesized sex pheromone of C. maculatus has a high attractiveness for males. An effective dose of pheromone that attracts males of the four-spotted bean weevil has been found at the laboratory and is equal to 0.5 μg per dispenser. Thereafter tests have shown that the concentration of pheromone above 2 μg does not cause behavioral response in beetles and doesn’t result in contact with the stimulus. Dispensers with doses of pheromone from 4 to 8 mg have been used with a Delta trap in storage. The use of pheromone traps can help in pest identification, decreasing or complete avoidance of repeated treatments with chemicals at low pest population. The results of this study will be presented and discussed on the basis of laboratory and literature data.

Tephritid fruit flies are important pests of fruits and vegetables worldwide, but few studies have examined their ecology and life history in their native range because non‐adult individuals of closely related species are morphologically indistinguishable. To identify non‐adult individuals collected from host plants, flies examined in earlier studies were painstakingly reared to adulthood. Using Zeugodacus scutellatus Hendel as a model species, this study established a simple DNA extraction and purification method based on loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) reaction for on‐site molecular identification of non‐adult fruit flies. The non‐adult individual body fluids were sampled using a sterilized toothpick and then diluted in TE buffer and heated for a short time. Alternatively, eggs were crushed in TE buffer using a sterilized toothpick and then heated. After heated buffer was added to the LAMP reaction mixture as template DNA and the mixture was heated for incubation of polymerase, the LAMP reaction detected the amplified DNA of Z. scutellatus. This purification method, characterized by heating after dilution with TE buffer, is simple and rapid. Our purification method, which obviates large centrifuges, thermal cyclers, and other apparatus, provides lower‐cost and better on‐site molecular identification of non‐adult fruit flies than methods described in earlier reports. The LAMP‐based molecular identification technique and our purification method are particularly useful for studying quarantined pest organisms that cannot be removed from their native areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) belonging to the family Drosophilidae is a harmful insect pest in Russian Federation. At times, it may be specific to classify using adults and larva or nymph samples. The method of molecular diagnosis for D. suzukii has been developed from another non-quarantine species Drosophila sp. using the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I region of 709-bp. DNA samples with LCO1490 and HCO2198 primers amplified by Drosophila spp. collections in laboratory samples from Mexico, Egypt and Turkey were compared to other GenBank Drosophila taxa sequences. Based on DNA sequence polymorphisms, the findings of the polymerase chain reaction (cPCR) have shown that these primers (12. dsuz.F/R) classify the exact region of the gene as well as the specific Drosophila suzukii primer. This DNA collection is appropriate for regular use by diagnostic and research organizations as safety measure in quarantine and further reduce the spread of this pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]