Piyadigama, P. H. S.Wickckramaarachchi, W. A. R. T.Sumanasinghe, V. A.2025-12-092025-12-092014-07-04Proceedings Peradeniya University International Research Sessions (iPURSE) - 2014, University of Peradeniya, P 547978 955 589 180 613914111https://ir.lib.pdn.ac.lk/handle/20.500.14444/7103Grain legumes alone contribute about 33 % of dietary protein nitrogen to our diet. The quality and quantity of legumes depend on both biotic and abiotic factors. Among the biotic factors, soil borne fungi are prevalent worldwide. Early detection of these fungi is required for minimizing crop losses. 𝘙𝘩𝘪𝘻𝘰𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘪 from “yard long bean”, 𝘍𝘶𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘰𝘹𝘺𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘶𝘮 from “yard long bean” and “winged bean” were isolated and used as positive control in PCR, for the detection of fungi based on ITS regions of disease affected root tissues. DNA was extracted from pure cultures of fungi and disease affected root tissues using the same modified CTAB extraction protocol. ITS-fu-Fand ITS-fu-Rprimers gave a 389 bp product for 𝘍𝘶𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘶𝘮 spp in yard long bean and winged bean. The same plants were positive with a 340 bp fragment for 𝘍. 𝘰𝘹𝘺𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘶𝘮 when using FO-F and FO-R primer pair. For 𝘙. 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘪 ITS1 and ITS4 primers were used and a 650 bp product was observed in bean and yard long bean. Yard long bean showed positive results for both 𝘍. 𝘰𝘹𝘺𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘶𝘮 and 𝘙. 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘪 proving mix infection of root rot. PCR product of 𝘙. 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘪 was sequenced and based on BLAST analysis, the isolate exhibited a strong homology (97 %) with 38 hits of 𝘙. 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘪 isolates out of 74 hits deposited in NCBI database. Moreover, they too are ITS and 5.8s regions. Accordingly, it can be safely concluded that isolates used in this study are precisely from 𝘙. 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘪. The findings of this study indicate that molecular methods using both DNA extracted from pure cultures and root tissues are equally effective for early diagnose of fungi, avoiding necessity of obtaining pure cultures.enPlant Science and ForestryRhizoctoniaIsolationMolecular detectionRoot rotGrain legumesArticle