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Pierce's Disease
Research Updates

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What is Pierce's Disease?

Pierce's Disease is a bacterial infection, which is spread by bugs that feed on grapevines, particularly the "glassy winged sharpshooter." Grapevines that become infected with PD can quickly become sick and die.

glassy-winged sharpshooter

THE UTILITY OF INTER-SIMPLE SEQUENCE REPEAT-POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (ISSR-PCR) TO DISTINGUISH GEOGRAPHIC POPULATIONS OF THE SMOKE-TREE SHARPSHOOTER AND EGG PARASITOID SPECIES OF THE GENUS GONATOCERUS

  • Author(s): de Le?n, Jesse; Hagler, James; Logarzo, Guillermo; Morgan, David;
  • Abstract: In the current study, we tested the utility of the inter-simple sequence repeat-polymerase chain reaction (ISSR-PCR) DNA fingerprinting method in distinguishing geographic populations of the smoke-tree sharpshooter (STSS) (Homalodisca liturata Ball) and in distinguishing several egg parasitoid species in the genus Gonatocerus. Four geographic populations of the STSS were analyzed and they included: near Central (Olgilby Rd.) CA, Riverside CA, Imperial CA, and Phoenix, AZ. Five unique or population-specific markers were identified in the population from Riverside with minor genetic variation within the population. Another five population-specific markers were identified in the rest of the STSS populations (near Central and Imperial CA and Phoenix AZ). Extensive genetic variation was detected in these STSS populations. Population-specific markers are an indication of subdivided populations and decreased gene flow. The following Gonatocerus ((Hymenotpera: Mymaridae) egg parasitoid species were analyzed: G. triguttutas (TX), G. morrilli (CA), G. ashmeadi (CA), G. fasciatus (LA) G. metanotalis (Argentina), near G. ashmeadi (Argentina), near G. triguttatus (Argentina), and G. tuberculifemur (Argentina). Each Gonatocerus species was associated with a unique ISSR-PCR banding pattern. In general, not much variation was seen within each species. Some variation was seen in G. tuberculifemur, while extensive variation was seen in G. fasciatus. The current results confirm the utility of using the sensitive ISSR-PCR method to distinguish geographic populations of the STSS and to distinguish several egg parasitoid species in the genus Gonatocerus. Rapid distinction of egg parasitoid species will speed up the identification process in a biological control program, thus saving time and cost.
  • Publication Date: Dec 2005
  • Journal: 2005 Pierce's Disease Research Symposium

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