Sequence characterized amplified region (
SCAR) markers are one of the most effective and accurate tools for microbial identification. In this study, we applied
SCAR markers for the rapid and accurate detection of Phytophthora katsurae, the casual agent of chestnut ink disease in Korea. In this study, we developed seven
SCAR markers specific to P. katsurae using random amplified polymorphic
DNA (RAPD), and assessed the potential of the
SCAR markers to serve as tools for identifying P. katsurae. Seven primer pairs (
SOPC 1F/
SOPC 1R,
SOPC 1-1F/
SOPC 1-1R,
SOPC 3F/
SOPC 3R,
SOPC 4F/
SOPC 4R,
SOPC 4F/
SOPC 4-1R, SOPD 9F/SOPD 9R, and SOPD 10F/SOPD 10R) from a sequence derived from RAPD fragments were designed for the analysis of the
SCAR markers. To evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of the
SCAR markers, the genomic
DNA of P. katsurae was serially diluted 10-fold to final concentrations from 1 mg/mL to 1 pg/mL. The limit of detection using the
SCAR markers ranged from 100 µg/mL to 100 ng/mL. To identify the limit for detecting P. katsurae zoospores, each
suspension of zoospores was serially diluted 10-fold to final concentrations from 10 × 10(5) to 10 × 10(1) zoospores/mL, and then extracted. The limit of detection by
SCAR markers was approximately 10 × 10(1) zoospores/mL. PCR detection with
SCAR markers was specific for P. katsurae, and did not produce any P. katsurae-specific PCR amplicons from 16 other Phytophthora species used as controls. This study shows that
SCAR markers are a useful tool for the rapid and effective detection of P. katsurae.