Strain-specific PCR-based diagnosis for Beauveria brongniartii biocontrol strains

A Romanian Beauveria brongniartii biocontrol isolate, strain ICDPP #1a, was genetically compared to the producer strain of the commercially available mycoinsecticide “Melocont®”. Analysis of 18S rRNA gene and elongation factor 1 alpha (EF1a) peptide sequences revealed a very close phylogenetic relationship of both strains even in comparison to further B. brongniartii strains. However, a difference in the respective 18S rRNA gene exon-intron structures was detected. Based upon this genetic difference, a PCR-based diagnosis tool was developed that renders the two-sided positive discrimination of the strains possible.