EARLY PCR DETECTION OF THE MYCOSPHAERELLA GRAMINICOLA IN THE LEAVES OF WINTER WHEAT IN POLAND

The causal agent of Septoria tritici blotch (STB) is the fungus Mycosphaerella graminicola. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for the early detection of M. graminicola genetic material in 160 samples of winter wheat leaves from Poland, collected in the spring and autumn of 2012. Difference was noted between the number of detections in autumn and spring. Species-specific PCR for M. graminicola amplified the expected DNA fragment in 21.43% of 2012 spring samples and in 11.11% of 2012 autumn samples. The highest number of M. graminicola-positive samples was identified in eastern and north-western Poland. The frequency of M. graminicola detections was highest where wheat followed winter rape and winter wheat, as opposed to maize. Detection of M. graminicola DNA was lower mainly in leaves of wheat that was sown later. The results show that the PCR assay is a reliable method for the early detection of the presence of M. graminicola DNA in the leaves of wheat.