Moko disease of banana caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the most limiting factors in the production of this crop in the world. An alternative to reduce the incidence of this disease consists in the early detection of affected plants and soils with high levels of bacterial inoculum. This research evaluated different methods of nucleic acids extraction from plant material and soils, to be used in molecular diagnosis of R. solanacearum in the banana-growing region of Urabá, Colombia. Results showed that for diagnosis of plant material, DNA extraction should be done with commercial kits including silica gel columns or alternatively conventional methods using buffers containing PVPP. For bacterial detection from soil samples the most appropriated method was the microbial enrichment in SMSA broth medium before DNA extraction. Multiplex PCR analysis indicated that phylotype II, sequevar 4 was the causal agent of Moko disease of banana in the region of Urabá. Techniques applied in this research could be used in epidemiological studies as well as to support management strategies of this disease in banana plantations.
molecular diagnosis; Moko disease; multiplex PCR; Musa sp.
