Recently, a fast detection tool (Blue Ea-LAMP) based on the so called isothermal DNA amplification (loop-mediated isothermal amplification of DNA) was developed at the Vienna University of Technology (VUT). This tool allows a fast, sensitive and selective detection of the fire blight causing agent Erwinia amylovora with simple devices and the naked eye (colour change form violet to blue with positive samples). The Blue EaLAMP was developed and optimized under lab conditions and should now, together with an easy sampling method (bee monitoring), be established as a detection tool for practical on-site usage. The aims of the two project parts are:
1. (VTU): The Blue Ea-LAMP should be developed to an easy-to-handle diagnostic kit with a comprehensive step-by-step protocol. A semiquantitative determination of the bacterial titre by a scaled colour plate (violet to blue) should be worked out.
2. (AGES): Sampling (currently flowers are collected which is time consuming) should be substantially simplified by an also already developed (proof of principle) bee monitoring system. For that, bee hive mounted collecting devices are used, where bees depose possible fire blight bacteria. Data which are gained by the combination of bee monitoring and Blue Ea-LAMP should be immediately integrated into the prognosis model Maryblyt. This should help to optimize plant protection strategies.
3. (AGES): Improvement of methods for the diagnosis of E. amylovora, mainly the discrimination between other Erwinia species (which some of them were currently described as plant pathogenic).
4. (AGES): Evaluation of specific detection tools for the routine analysis of orchard samples. Development of new, suitable methods for monitoring the whole relevant bacterial populations on pome fruit flowers.
5. (AGES): Development of methods for genotyping of isolates of a fire blight incidence and its classification to the source of the epidemic.
6. (AGES): Composition of a strategy for fire blight restriction for extension workers including the validated results of the project.
