A real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification for detection of the wheat dwarf virus in wheat and the insect vector Psammotettix alienus
Xingan Hao, Licheng Wang, Xudong Zhang, Qinrong Zhong, Jamal U Ddin Hajano, Liangsheng Xu, Yunfeng Wu
Plant Disease
DOI:10.1094/PDIS-10-20-2279-RE
Abstract
Wheat dwarf virus (WDV, genus Mastrevirus, family Geminiviridae) is an economically important and widespread pathogen of cereal crops. It causes huge yield loss in wheat due to the unavailability of resistant varieties and rapid transmission by the vector leafhopper, Psammotettix alienus (Dahlb). To monitor and forecast this viral disease, an early diagnosis method is required for WDV detection in both infected plants and the virus vectors. In this study, we developed a real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for WDV detection. The positive sample could be detected within 28-32 min by following a simple and cost-effective procedure. The real-time LAMP assay showed a sensitivity of 2.7×105-6 copies/µL for detection and a high specificity for WDV amplification, with a similar accuracy to qPCR. Furthermore, a tube-closed dye method facilitates the inspection of the LAMP reaction and avoids cross contamination in the detection of the virus. This valuable detection assay could serve as an important tool for diagnosis and forecasting wheat dwarf disease intensity in the field.