International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology (2013) 63, 636-640

Nang Kyu Kyu Win, Seung-Yeol Lee, Assunta Bertaccini, Shigetou Namba and Hee-Young Jung (2013)
´Candidatus Phytoplasma balanitae' associated with witches' broom disease of Balanites triflora
International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 63 (2), 636-640
Abstract: A phytoplasma was identified in naturally infected wild Balanites triflora plants exhibiting typical witches' broom symptoms (Balanites witches' broom: BltWB) in Myanmar. The 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that BltWB phytoplasma had the highest similarity to that of `Candidatus Phytoplasma ziziphi' and it was also closely related to that of `Candidatus Phytoplasma ulmi'. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the BltWB phytoplasma clustered as a discrete subclade with Elm yellows phytoplasmas. RFLP analysis of the 16S rRNA gene including the 16S-23S spacer region differentiated the BltWB phytoplasma from `Ca. P. ziziphi', `Ca. P. ulmi' and `Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii'. Analysis of additional ribosomal protein (rp) and translocase protein (secY) gene sequences and phylogenetic analysis of BltWB showed that this phytoplasma was clearly distinguished from those of other `Candidatus Phytoplasma' taxa. Taking into consideration the unique plant host and the restricted geographical occurrence in addition to the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the BltWB phytoplasma is proposed to represent a novel taxon, `Candidatus Phytoplasma balanitae'.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Hee-Young Jung, Assunta Bertaccini, Shigetou Namba

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
molecular biology - genes

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Phytoplasma trifolii
	Phytoplasma ulmi
	Phytoplasma ziziphi