A Quantitative Real-Time PCR Assay for Early Detection and Quantification of Ramularia mali, an Emerging Pathogen of Apple Causing Dry Lenticel Rot

Ramularia mali is an emerging pathogen of apple (Malus domestica) causing dry lenticel rot. No preventive measures have been adopted due to the lack of knowledge about the life cycle and epidemiology of this pathogen. In a preliminary survey to identify the agents of dry lenticel rot of apple, R. mali was constantly associated with the disease. Using isolates from this survey, a SYBR Green quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay was developed, using calmodulin as target gene, for the detection and quantification of R. mali in apple fruit. The qPCR assay was validated in terms of specificity, sensitivity, repeatability, and reproducibility following the international European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization standard PM 7/98. The primers amplified a region of 237 bp specific to R. mali. The specificity was validated with 20 fungal species commonly found on apple, and 36 strains of R. mali and closely related species of the R. eucalypti species complex. Positive amplifications were obtained only with DNA of R. mali and no cross-reaction was detected with the other fungal species. Sensitivity was assessed with serial dilutions of target DNA and the limit of detection was 100 fg. No influence of host DNA was observed when target DNA was diluted on the DNA of Ambrosia and Golden Delicious apple. The assay permitted to detect and quantify R. mali in symptomatic and asymptomatic fruit. The presence of R. mali on asymptomatic Ambrosia and Golden Delicious apple fruit was demonstrated, and the presence of the pathogen was reported for the first time on Jeromine, Gala, Opal, and Story Inored fruit. This assay could be useful in clarifying the life cycle of this pathogen in order to build up an effective disease management strategy. Furthermore, the early detection of the pathogen on asymptomatic apple fruit could be used to forecast the development of dry lenticel rot, supporting the packinghouse operators in deciding the storage length of apple lots.