International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology (2004) 54, 1025-1029

C. Marcone, K.S. Gibb, C. Streten and B. Schneider (2004)
´Candidatus Phytoplasma spartii', `Candidatus Phytoplasma rhamni' and `Candidatus Phytoplasma allocasuarinae', respectively associated with spartium witches'-broom, buckthorn witches'-broom and allocasuarina yellows diseases
International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 54 (4), 1025-1029
Abstract: Spartium witches'-broom (SpaWB), buckthorn witches'-broom (BWB) and allocasuarina yellows (AlloY) are witches'-broom and yellows diseases of Spartium junceum (Spanish broom), Rhamnus catharticus (buckthorn) and Allocasuarina muelleriana (Slaty she-oak), respectively. These diseases are associated with distinct phytoplasmas. The SpaWB, BWB and AlloY phytoplasmas share <97.5 % 16S rDNA sequence similarity with each other and with other known phytoplasmas, including the closely related phytoplasmas of the apple proliferation group. Also, the SpaWB, BWB and AlloY phytoplasmas each have a different natural plant host. Based on their unique properties, it is proposed to designate the mentioned phytoplasmas as novel `Candidatus ' species under the names 'Candidatus Phytoplasma spartii', `Candidatus Phytoplasma rhamni' and `Candidatus Phytoplasma allocasuarinae', respectively.
(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): Carmine Marcone, Bernd Schneider, Karen S. Gibb

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
identification/taxonomy
molecular biology - genes

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Rhamnus cathartica (weed)
	Spartium junceum (weed)
Phytoplasma spartii (in weeds)	Spartium junceum (weed)		Italy
Phytoplasma rhamni (in weeds)