Monilinia fructigena air detection by two different rotorod samplers combined with quantitative real-time PCR

The brown rot of apple and stone fruits caused by Monilinia fructigena is a widespread disease causing serious losses in fruit production. The most common way the pathogen spreads is via airborne conidia. Therefore, air samplers can effectively monitor its occurrence. In this study, we have conducted a comparative sampling of two cheap air samplers – rotorod spore traps called ROTTRAP 52 and AMETRAP. An optimised quantitative real-time PCR assay with a hydrolysis probe evaluated samples. 14 concurrent samplings were positive in all cases, showing higher spore counts in almost all AMETRAP samples obtained under various weather conditions. The daily maximum air temperature was the only significant meteorological variable positively affecting the recorded spore counts. Both rotorod samplers are an efficient and economic option for horticulturists and researchers for M. fructigena air inoculum monitoring.