Abstract

Plant-associated cyanobacteria play pivotal roles in diverse ecosystems, impacting plant health, nitrogen fixation, and overall ecosystem dynamics. The rapid and accurate detection of cyanobacteria within plant environments is crucial for understanding their ecological roles and managing associated risks. This chapter provides an overview of nucleic acid-based methods for the rapid detection of cyanobacteria associated with plants. Four distinct techniques, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative PCR (qPCR), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), and metagenomic sequencing are discussed. Each technique’s stepwise procedures, associated materials, and reagents are explained. By employing these techniques, the study aims to expedite the identification and characterization of plant-associated cyanobacteria, contributing to advancements in understanding their role in plant health and ecosystem dynamics.