Skip to main content
APS Plant Health 2025 Main banner
Icon Legend
This session is not in your schedule.
This session is in your schedule. Click again to remove it.

POSTERS: Disease Detection and Diagnosis II

P-204 - Molecular diagnosis of the fungus Cercospora janseana in rice varieties

Tuesday, August 5, 2025
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM HST
Location: Exhibit Hall 3

    Presenting Author(s)

  • SD

    Samuel De Paula

    Postdoctoral Fellow
    University of Arkansas
    Stuttgart, AR, USA

    • Author(s)

  • JP

    Jocilene S. Pereira

    Visiting Scholar
    University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
    Stuttgart, Arkansas, United States

  • RP

    Rodrigo Pedrozo

    Postdoctoral Research Associate
    USDA ARS Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center (DB NRRC)
    Stuttgart, Arkansas, United States

  • JS

    Jacob Searight

    Graduate Assistant
    Department of Plant Pathology & Crop Physiology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
    Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States

  • JR

    Jonathan K. Richards

    Associate Professor
    Department of Plant Pathology & Crop Physiology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
    Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States

  • CN

    Camila Nicolli, PhD

    Assistant Professor - Extension Plant Pathologist
    University of Arkansas
    Stuttgart, Arkansas, United States

Abstract Text: The fungus Cercospora janseana is a re-emerging pathogen in rice cultivation in the United States. The symptomatology, identification, and control strategies remain underexplored. Thus, this study aimed to perform a molecular diagnosis of C. janseana in rice varieties cultivated in Arkansas. Symptomatic and asymptomatic leaf, tiller, and panicle samples were collected from three rice genotypes (DG263L, Ozark, and 23HX102CL) during the 2024 season. DNA extractions were performed using the FastDNA Kit and PCR reactions were conducted with DNA at a concentration of 50 ng/μL. PCR amplification was carried out using six samples, along with positive (Cercospora janseana) and negative (Magnaporthe oryzae) DNA controls. The amplified fragments for the primers MAT1-1 (250 bp), MAT1-2 (450 bp), and GAPDH (450 bp) were visualized through electrophoresis on 2% agarose gel. All primers amplified the expected fragment size. MAT1-1, amplification was observed in the positive controls and two samples. Using MAT1-2 and GAPDH primers, the results were consistent, with amplification observed in five samples. However, in this case, the negative control also showed amplification, indicating the need for adjustments. Further optimization of primer specificity is needed to achieve more conclusive results. Additionally, sequencing these amplicons will enhance the accuracy of pathogen diagnosis. Refining and applying molecular tools for the identification of C. janseana in rice is crucial for variety screening and resistance identification.