Potato Pathogens in Russia’s Regions: An Instrumental Survey with the Use of Real-Time PCR/RT-PCR in Matrix Format

Viral and bacterial diseases of potato cause significant yield loss worldwide. The current data on the occurrence of these diseases in Russia do not provide comprehensive understanding of the phytosanitary situation. Diagnostic systems based on disposable stationary open qPCR micromatrices intended for the detection of eight viral and seven bacterial/oomycetal potato diseases have been used for wide-scale screening of target pathogens to estimate their occurrence in 11 regions of Russia and to assess suitability of the technology for high-throughput diagnostics under conditions of field laboratories. Analysis of 1025 leaf and 725 tuber samples confirmed the earlier reported data on the dominance of potato viruses Y, S, and M in most regions of European Russia, as well as relatively high incidences of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus, Pectobacterium atrosepticum, and P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum, and provided detailed information on the phytosanitary status of selected regions and geographical spread of individual pathogens. Information on the occurrence of mixed infections, including their composition, was the first data set of this kind for Russia. The study is the first large-scale screening of a wide range of potato pathogens conducted in network mode using unified methodology and standardized qPCR micromatrices. The data represent valuable information for plant pathologists and potato producers and indicate the high potential of the combined use of matrix PCR technology and network approaches to data collection and analysis with the view to rapidly and accurately assess the prevalence of certain pathogens, as well as the phytosanitary state of large territories.