Journal of Phytopathology (2020) 168, 63-71

Zeinab Alsaheli, Nicoletta Contaldo, Natasa Mehle, Marina Dermastia, Toufic Elbeaino and Assunta Bertaccini (2020)
First detection of "Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris" - and "Candidatus Phytoplasma solani"-related strains in fig trees
Journal of Phytopathology 168 (1), 63-71
Abstract: In July 2017, a survey was conducted in a fig collection plot at Locorotondo (south of Italy) to investigate the possible presence of phytoplasmas in plants showing yellowing, deformed leaves, short internodes, mottling and mosaic. Samples were collected from symptomatic plants and tested by nested PCR assays using universal and specific primers to amplify the 16S rDNA of these prokaryotes. PCR results detected the presence of phytoplasma sequences in twenty plant samples that resulted clustering two phylogenetically distinct phytoplasmas, i.e., "Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris" and "Candidatus Phytoplasma solani" affiliated to 16SrI and 16SrXII ribosomal groups, respectively. The presence of phytoplasmas belonging to both ribosomal groups was confirmed with group specific quantitative PCR and RFLP assays on 16S ribosomal amplicons. Results of this study indicate for the first time the occurrence of phytoplasmas in fig; however, more work should be carried out to verify their association with the symptoms observed on diseased fig plants.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Nicoletta Contaldo, Natasa Mehle, Toufic Elbeaino, Assunta Bertaccini

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Phytoplasma asteris	Ficus (crop)	Italy
	Phytoplasma solani	Ficus (crop)	Italy