HortScience (2004) 39, 1056-1059

A. Gera, L. Maslenin, A. Rosner, M. Zeidan, S. Pivonia and P.G. Weintraub (2004)
A new disease in Limonium hybrids. I. Molecular identification
HortScience 39 (4), 1056-1059
Abstract: Yellows diseases in ornamental crops have become more common in Israel, and phytoplasmas have been detected in several crops. Recently, symptoms typical of a phytoplasma infection were observed on a large number of Limonium hybrids grown in commercial fields in Israel. Examination of samples from diseased plants by electron microscopy revealed the presence of pleiomorphic membrane-bound bodies in the phloem cells. Diseased plants were additionally analyzed by PCR using universal and nested primers and revealed upon sequencing products of 1143, 788 and 722 bp (Li-IL, Li-b2-IL, Li-v3-IL, respectively). Analysis of the PCR products, associated with infected Limonium, clustered within two major groups of phytoplasmas (16SrV and 16SrIX), elm yellows and almond witches broom. This is the first published record of these phytoplasmas in Israel.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Phyllis G. Weintraub, Abed Gera, Shimon Pivonia

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.
	16SrV phytoplasma group	Limonium (crop)	Israel
	16SrIX phytoplasma group	Limonium (crop)	Israel