Bulletin of Insectology (2007) 60, 379-380

S. Paltrinieri and A. Bertaccini (2007)
Detection of phytoplasmas in plantlets grown from different batches of seed-potatoes
Bulletin of Insectology 60 (2), 379-380
First International Phytoplasmologist Working Group Meeting (IPWG), Bologna (Italy) November 12-15, 2007
Abstract: During 2006 and 2007 eight batches of seed potatoes collected in different locations, and belonging to one cultivar were planted in spring under greenhouse conditions and tested after 2 months to verify phytoplasma presence. A total of 635 asymptomatic plantlets were examined. Nucleic acid was extracted from small shoots from either a single plant or from batches of 3 plants each. Nested PCR on both single and grouped samples with general ribosomal primers, without spacer region allowed specific phytoplasma detection. Phytoplasmas belonging to diverse ribosomal groups were identified after RFLP analyses according to the batch tested. Ribosomal subgroups 16SrI-B (related to `Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris'), 16SrI-C (related to clover phyllody: CPh), 16SrII-D (related to tomato big bud from Australia: TBB), 16SrX-A (related to `Ca. P. mali'), and 16SrXII-A (related to stolbur) were identified in different percentages. After further validation tests, the system can be used to screen high quality seed potatos for phytoplasmas.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Full text of article
Database assignments for author(s): Assunta Bertaccini

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

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Phytoplasma asteris	Potato (Solanum tuberosum)	Italy
	16SrII phytoplasma group	Potato (Solanum tuberosum)	Italy
	16SrX phytoplasma group	Potato (Solanum tuberosum)	Italy
	16SrXII phytoplasma group	Potato (Solanum tuberosum)	Italy