METAGENOMIC ANALYSIS OF PHYTOPHTHORA DIVERSITY IN NURSERIES OF POTTED ORNAMENTAL SPECIES.

The genetic diversity of Phytophthora was investigated in soil and root samples of potted ornamental and fruit tree plants collected in nurseries located in Apulia and Calabria (Southern Italy) using metagenomic approaches based on Phytophthora genus specific primers. PCR amplicons containing the ITS1 region of the rDNA were sequenced using both a conventional cloning and Sanger sequencing approach and a 454 pyrosequencing protocol. All sequences were accurately analyzed with an appropriate software and used as barcode for species identification utilizing a validated ITS database. The cloning/Sanger sequencing approach enabled the identification of nine different Phytophthora taxa (P. nicot…