Molecular identification technology of <italic>Hymenoscyphus fraxineus</italic> based on TaqMan qPCR

To rapidly and accurately detect Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, pathogenic fungus of ash dieback, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1) genes were selected as targets for designing specific primers and TaqMan probes. A TaqMan probe‑based qPCR detection system was established for target strains, and assay was optimized by adjusting annealing temperatures and concentrations of primers and probes. The results showed that TaqMan qPCR system could specifically amplify target genes of target strain, and minimum detection concentration of DNA was 1.0 pg/μL. The detection system could enable efficient quarantine identification and epidemic monitoring of H. fraxineus, and provide technical services and support for prevention and control of invasive pests at ports and protection of ecological security.