Introduction:

Malaysia is sixth largest producers and exporters of black pepper (Piper nigrum L). However, diseases pose a serious limitation to pepper cultivation, resulting in yield reduction or complete crop loss. Slow decline disease caused by Fusarium solani is one of the most important diseases of black pepper. The symptoms of the disease are leaf discoloration usually starts at the bottom of the vines and spreads gradually to the top and root rot, which resulting in dieback and eventual death of the vines. The appearance of highly fungicide resistant genotypes of F. solani has caused severe disease outbreaks. Hence, early detection methods could be helpful to accurately and rapidly confirm the presence of F. solani and to trigger appropriate management actions. The objectives of this study are: i) to isolate and characterize F. solani isolates associated with slow decline disease of black pepper using morphological and molecular methods and ii) to develop a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for detection of F. solani. Infected samples will be collected from black pepper farms in Sarawak. Morphological and molecular characterization of fungal isolates will be correlated with in vitro fungicides evaluation to screen for fungicide resistant isolates. Identification of fungicide resistant strain will enable new recommendation for the chemical control of F. solani to be implemented. Identification of conserved F. solani rDNA Internal Transcribe Spacer (ITS) sequences will be used for the design LAMP primers. The specificity and sensitivity of the LAMP assay will be assessed based on visual colour change, gel electrophoresis and DNA sequencing. The development on-site F. solani detection assay will facilite early detection of infected vines to ensure the use of disease free propagating materials for subsequent planting and disease management.

For more further enquiries:

Dr. Kwan Yee Min
Senior Lecturer
Department of Crop Science
Faculty of Agricultural Science and Forestry
Tel: +6086 855836
Email: yeemink@upm.edu.my

Kemaskini:: 07/09/2020 [lanz]