Real‐time analysis ofPolymyxa betaeGST expression in infected sugar beet

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Abstract
SUMMARY: We have tested and developed protocols for both sequence‐independent and hybridization probe real‐time PCR for the detection ofPolymyxa betaeglutathione‐S‐transferase transcripts in infected sugar beet roots. When using the test onP. betae‐free plants, no signal above the level of the non‐template control was observed. Real‐time PCR analysis of both serially diluted zoospore suspensions and infected root material demonstrated a close relationship between the threshold cycle and the amount ofP. betae. Hybridization probe real‐time analysis of infected plants sampled sequentially over 20 days from sowing showed that the levels of the transcript rose steadily after initial infection to a peak and then declined. Comparative time‐course analyses of infection in susceptible plants and a resistant wildBetaspecies indicated that, whilst transcript levels in susceptible plants showed a continuing upward trend, in the resistant species they were detectable only at an extremely low level.