Diagnóstico molecular de enfermedades sistémicas de la ca？a de azúcar en la Argentina: ajuste metodológico y aplicaciones

systemic diseases represent one of the main factors affecting sugarcane production. the knowledge of crop sanitary conditions and the correct identification of phytopathogens are key factors to reduce losses caused by them. to diagnose diseases as early as possible is crucial, so techniques that are sensitive, fast, accurate and easy to use are essential. since 2005, molecular diagnosis based on polymerase chain reaction has been applied at estación experimental agroindustrial obispo colombres, for detecting four systemic sugarcane diseases: ratoon stunting (leifsonia xyli sp xyli), leaf scald (xanthomonas albilineans), sugarcane mosaic virus (scmv) and yellow leaf syndrome (sugar cane yellow leaf virus, scylv). this paper presents the methodological optimization of molecular diagnosis and compares its efficiency with that of elisa immunochemistry technique. the molecular approach showed greater sensitivity for the detection of both the bacterial and viral diseases evaluated. the implementation of molecular analysis constitutes a technological advance for regional sugar industry, which will not only help to reduce disease incidence, but also avoid the entrance of new pathogens whenever sugarcane germplasm is introduced from other regions.