Development of oligonucleotide microarrays for simultaneous multi‐species identification of P hellinus tree‐pathogenic fungi

Polyporoid P hellinus fungi are ubiquitously present in the environment and play an important role in shaping forest ecology. Several species of P hellinus are notorious pathogens that can affect a broad variety of tree species in forest, plantation, orchard and urban habitats; however, current detection methods are overly complex and lack the sensitivity required to identify these pathogens at the species level in a timely fashion for effective infestation control. Here, we describe eight oligonucleotide microarray platforms for the simultaneous and specific detection of 17 important P hellinus species, using probes generated from the internal transcribed spacer regions unique to each species. The sensitivity, robustness and efficiency of this P hellinus microarray system was subsequently confirmed against template DNA from two key P hellinus species, as well as field samples collected from tree roots, trunks and surrounding soil. This system can provide early, specific and convenient detection of P hellinus species for forestry, arboriculture and quarantine inspection, and could potentially help to mitigate the environmental and economic impact of P hellinus‐related diseases.