Application of PCR and PCR-derived technologies for the detection of pathogens infecting crops

The occurrence of diseases often causes great losses to agricultural production. Recognizing and preventing various diseases and establishing detection techniques for disease-causing organisms are the basis for disease early warning and control. To date, there are various methods for pathogen detection, especially PCR and PCR-derived technologies. However, there methods lack uniform classification standards (testing time, operation procedure, and application). In addition, it is difficult to use all the detection methods in a reasonable combination to improve the accuracy of the results. The paper mainly reviews various PCR commonly used in the field of crop disease detection, including nested PCR , quantitative PCR , multiplex PCR , digital PCR, nanoparticle-assisted PCR, immuno PCR, reverse transcription PCR and other novel PCR (long PCR, GC-rich PCR, fast PCR, direct PCR, hot start PCR, touchdown PCR). The principles, advantages and shortcomings of these methods, as well as the progress of their application in the detection of pathogens, are summarized. In conclusion, detection methods are constantly updated, but the future direction of development still needs to be towards more accurate, economical, efficient and rapid. This review aims to provide a reference for research related to molecular identification of plant pathogens , plant disease monitoring and early warning. • Morphological identification for agricultural pathogens has a greater chance of being wrong. • Polymerase chain reaction can accurately identify pathogens from a genetic perspective. • The procedure, advantages, and weaknesses of these methods were summarized.