European Journal of Plant Pathology (2013) 137, 445-450

Luciano Melo, Eliane Silva, Daniela Flôres, José Ventura, Hélcio Costa and Ivan Bedendo (2013)
A phytoplasma representative of a new subgroup, 16SrXIII-E, associated with Papaya apical curl necrosis
European Journal of Plant Pathology 137 (3), 445-450
Abstract: Papaya apical curl necrosis (PACN) has frequently been observed in several Brazilian states. Affected plants exhibit foliar chlorosis, curvature of the apex, shortening of the internodes leading to bunching of the crown leaves, necrosis of the young apical parts, leaf drop, and dieback. Naturally infected plants were sampled and subjected to PCR assays, which confirmed that a phytoplasma was associated with the disease. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, conventional and computer-simulated RFLP analyses, and phylogenetic analysis allowed the determination of the PACN phytoplasma as a representative of a new subgroup, designated 16SrXIII-E. The phytoplasmas of various 16Sr groups, including 16SrI, 16SrII, 16SrX, 16SrXII, and 16SrXVII, are known to be involved in anomalies in papaya plants in several countries. However, the present study reports, for the first time, the occurrence of a 16SrXIII phytoplasma in association with a papaya disease.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Ivan Paulo Bedendo

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.
	16SrXIII phytoplasma group	Papaya (Carica papaya)