Recent developments in pathogen detection arrays: Implications for fungal plant pathogens and use in practice

The failure to adequately identify plant pathogens from culture-based morphological techniques has led to the development of culture-independent molecular approaches. Increasingly, diagnostic laboratories are pursuing fast routine methods that provide reliable identification, sensitive detection, and accurate quantification of plant pathogens. In addition, since plants or parts thereof can be infected by multiple pathogens, multiplex assays that can detect and quantify different pathogens simultaneously are highly desirable. Technologies that can meet these requirements, especially those involving polymerase chain reaction, are being developed and implemented in horticultural and agricultural practice. Currently, DNA array technology is the most suitable technique for multiplex detection of plant pathogens. Recently, a quantitative aspect was added to this technology, making DNA arrays highly attractive for various research and practical applications. Here, we review the most important recent advances in molecular plant pathogen diagnostics, with special attention to fungal molecular diagnostics. In addition to their applicability in practice, the different criteria that have to be fulfilled for developing robust detection procedures that can routinely be used by diagnostic laboratories are discussed.