Bulletin of Insectology (2007) 60, 257-258

A. Bertaccini, A. Calari and P. Felker (2007)
Developing a method for phytoplasma identification in cactus pear samples from California
Bulletin of Insectology 60 (2), 257-258
First International Phytoplasmologist Working Group Meeting (IPWG), Bologna (Italy) November 12-15, 2007
Abstract: Cactus pear plants showing proliferation and stunting of cladodes in Californian cultivations were tested in order to define a molecular methodology for reliable phytoplasma detection. After several unsuccessful trials a simple extraction method was developed to reduce the mucilage content in nucleic acid preparations that was seriously affecting pathogen detection. Nested PCR on 16S ribosomal gene and RFLP analyses together with sequencing of obtained amplicons allow to verify the presence in symptomatic plants of 16SrV-A and 16SrI-B phytoplasmas respectively related to `Candidatus Phytoplasma ulmi' and `Ca. P. asteris'.
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Database assignments for author(s): Assunta Bertaccini

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Phytoplasma asteris	Prickly pear (Opuntia)	U.S.A. (SW)
	Phytoplasma ulmi	Prickly pear (Opuntia)	U.S.A. (SW)