Strain-specific PCR-based diagnosis for Beauveria brongniartii biocontrol strains

Abstract: A Romanian Beauveria brongniartii biocontrol isolate, strain ICDPP #1a, wasgenetically compared to the producer strain of the commercially available mycoinsecticide“Melocont®”. Analysis of 18S rRNA gene and elongation factor 1 alpha (EF1α) peptidesequences revealed a very close phylogenetic relationship of both strains even in comparison tofurther B. brongniartii strains. However, a difference in the respective 18S rRNA gene exonintronstructures was detected. Based upon this genetic difference, a PCR-based diagnosis toolwas developed that renders the two-sided positive discrimination of the strains possible.