Development of a rapid, sensitive and specific DNA-based method to detect Ralstonia solanacearum in potato for quarantine purposes

Bacterial wilt of potato is considered as one of the most destructive diseases of potato. The use of healthy seed potatoes is the most effective means to control the disease. Ralstonia solanacearum, the causal organism of bacterial wilt of potato, is considered as a quarantine pest in Sri Lanka. Therefore, there is a requirement to detect R. solanacearum in seed potatoes quickly and reliably for quarantine purposes. From this study, it was expected to present a rapid and effective DNA extraction method for PCR mediated detection of R. solanacearum in potato tubers for quarantine purposes. The sensitivity of the developed detection method was assessed. The present study developed a rapid, sensitive and specific DNAbased method for detection of R. solanacearum in potatoes with 102 cfumL-1 sensitivity. The developed detection method is user-friendly as it does not require more complicated and toxic chemical substances; consists of few steps of handling; and generates the result within one day, which makes this method more appropriate for quarantine purposes in Sri Lanka.