Journal of Phytopathology (2021) 169, 658-666

Behçet Kemal Çaglar, Eray Simsek, Murat Dikilitas and Assunta Bertaccini (2021)
Characterization of ' Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' associated with a maize leaf reddening disease in Turkey
Journal of Phytopathology 169 (11-12), 658-666
Abstract: In recent years, empty or poor grain bearing corn plants with leaf reddening symptoms have been observed in some commercial maize production areas in the Adana province of Turkey. The disease is increasing and causing economic losses. To verify the possible presence of phytoplasmas, leaf samples were tested with P1/Tint and R16F2n/R2 phytoplasma-specific primer pairs after DNA extraction. The 16S ribosomal gene sequence analysis followed by sequence in silico enzyme digestions and phylogenetic analyses allowed the identification of ' Candidatus Phytoplasma solani', subgroup of 16SrXII-A related-strain in all symptomatic samples. The positive samples were characterized using tuf and vmp1 genes. In silico restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequence analyses allowed the inclusion of all the positive samples into tuf-type b and V15 molecular types. The sequence analysis indicated the presence of a single genotype in all the tested samples (n = 12). This is the first molecular characterization of a ' Ca. P. solani' strain infecting maize plants in Turkey. The identified pathogen is listed in the EPPO A2 list.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): 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 solani	Maize/corn (Zea mays)	Turkey