LetgenPro|Multiplex Real Time PCR Kit 100 rxn (Galls-swelling) (Sphaeropsis malorum/Botryosphaeria spp.)

Trunk cankers and abnormal tissue growth represent a persistent threat to perennial crops, leading to irreversible structural damage and significant yield loss. The Letgen Biotech Multiplex RT-qPCR assay utilizes a targeted molecular approach for the simultaneous detection and differentiation of two key fungal agents responsible for wood distortion: Botryosphaeria spp. and Sphaeropsis malorum. 

The epidemiology of these pathogens is closely linked to wound entry and subsequent tissue distortion. Both fungi primarily invade the host through pruning wounds, sunscald, or mechanical injuries. Once established, they disrupt the plant’s cellular balance, causing localized swelling and hypertrophic woody tissue formation as the host responds to infection.as the woody tissues respond to the infection. These pathogens often remain latent within the cambium and xylem, with symptoms rapidly escalating into necrotic cankers under environmental stress. 

Botryosphaeria spp. are aggressive colonizers responsible for perennial cankers and “dieback” syndromes. Infection leads to distinct sunken necrotic lesions accompanied by abnormal woody swellings. These malformations obstruct the flow of water and nutrients, thereby impairing vascular transport and resulting in the rapid decline of infected limbs. 

Sphaeropsis malorum a primary causal agent of Black Rot in fruits and canker development in woody tissues. In woody tissues, it induces bark peeling and roughened tissue expansions. This deformation weakens the structural integrity of the tree, while the pathogen also causes a firm, dark rot in fruits that devastates harvest quality.  

Because these pathogens frequently co-infect the same host and produce overlapping symptoms—such as swelling and wood discoloration—visual diagnosis is often insufficient. The Multiplex assay enables the identification of pathogen-specific DNA in a single reaction, providing a streamlined diagnostic workflow.  

This molecular approach allows for the early detection of these wood-deforming agents, enabling targeted management strategies before systemic damage compromises the longevity of the plantation