Development of a quantitative molecular tool for the diagnosis of the pathogen Clavibacter michiganensis

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In Quebec, greenhouse tomato production is important with more than $60 million in monetary revenue. However, tomatoes are susceptible to many diseases such as bacterial canker, caused by the bacterium Clavibacter michiganensis (Cm). It is one of the most devastating bacterial diseases affecting the tomato industry worldwide. Currently, sanitation practices are the only management strategy available due to the lack of resistant cultivars and effective chemical control methods. Diagnostic methods are particularly necessary to detect the presence of the bacteria and prevent its dispersion. Unfortunately, until now, available quantitative molecular analysis tools detect many false positives and do not differentiate pathogenic from non-pathogenic C. michiganensis. Thus, the project aims to develop a quantitative molecular tool specific to the Cm pathogen. The creation of this tool will help reduce the incidence of Cm thanks to early and accurate detection.