Use of LAMP detection to identify potential contamination sources of Pythium irregulare in hydroponic culture system of eustoma
Wenzhuo Feng: United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Gifu University
<div>Hydroponic culture systems are subject to high risks of diseases caused by zoosporic plant pathogens. Control is generally difficult because of the rapid spread of zoospores in the nutrient solutions. In Japan, the cut flower eustoma which is cultivated using the nutrient film techniques, is susceptible to the disease of root rot caused by the <em>Pythium irregulare</em>. We used loop-mediated isothermal amplification to identify potential contamination sources of this pathogen by monitoring its presence in the water supply wells, seedling terraces, nutrient solutions, plants, and ground soils of a eustoma greenhouse complex. The results indicated that the infestation of <em>P. irregulare</em> had become established and became more and more serious, and that the pathogen may invade the culture system from the soils around the greenhouses. The infestation most likely occurs when seedlings are moved from the seedling terraces to the greenhouses. Another possibility is that the sterilization of the hydroponic system after harvesting may not be sufficient. <em>Pythium irregulare </em>infested healthy plants before the disease symptoms are visible. Therefore, the periodic monitoring of pathogens in the culture system and ground soils is very important for the management and prevention of disease.</div>
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