Development and evaluation of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method for detection of the potato wart pathogen Synchytrium endobioticum

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) wart, caused by the biotrophic fungal pathogen Synchytrium endobioticum, is a serious disease of cultivated potatoes. A rapid and accurate method for wart diagnosis is needed. In this study, we described the development and evaluation of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method for the detection of S. endobioticum. Four sets of LAMP primers were designed. Their sensitivity was tested on a gBlock and the specificity of the most sensitive primer set (LAMP1) was verified by in silico analysis and on DNA of non-target species. The LAMP1 primer set showed a detection limit at 7-8 gBlock DNA molecules per reaction. On sensitivity, the LAMP was comparable to qPCR (SYBR green- and probe-based) and about 10 times more sensitive than conventional PCR. Considering the convenience of operation, the LAMP protocol is accurate and robust and should be recommended for the routine lab testing for potato wart.