Real-time assays for detection of Phytophthora spp. and identification of an avr3a gene variant

A study was carried out for identification and detection of Phytophthora spp. from soil and plant samples, collected from Solanaceous crops in Egypt and Italy. The samples were screened with specific and universal primers of Phytophthora 18S, ITS1-ITS2 and 28S regions, followed by PCR product sequencing. The Phytophthora spp. detected were P. infestans (Egypt) and P. parasitica (Italy). A molecular beacon probe was also developed based on the avr3a gene of P. infestans to detect a variant associated with virulence traits. The probe was suitable for avr3a allele identification from P. infestans and also from P. parasitica PCR products.