Differentiation of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus using PCR MP (PCR melting profile) and VNTR (variable number of tandem repeat) methods.

The potato phytopathogen Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus (Cms) is a causative agent of bacterial ring rot, which is a serious threat to crops. In EU member countries Cms is subject to quarantine and has to be combated. The knowledge about the transmission of Clavibacter michiganensis strains is limited due to a lack of methods which could be used for epidemiological analysis. In this study PCR MP and VNTR methods were used in Cms epidemiological analysis for the first time. PCR MP was based on the melting temperature analysis of BamHI restriction fragments of chromosomal DNA. Respectively, for the VNTR method, 6 loci were identified and used in the differentiation of Cms isolates. PCR MP was used for 93 Cms isolated in Poland. Both PCR MP and VNTR methods were used for the differentiation of 47 Cms strains in this collection. Both these methods were found to be useful for the epidemiological analysis of Cms. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.