Phytoparasitica (2013) 41, 429-434

Zheng-Nan Li, Lei Zhang, Jia-Gui Song and Yun-Feng Wu (2013)
Molecular detection and identification of phytoplasma associated with pepper witches' broom in China
Phytoparasitica 41 (4), 429-434
Abstract: Pepper witches' broom (PWB) disease was observed in a field in Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China. The result of mechanical inoculation test for this disease was negative. Phytoplasma-like bodies were observed in ultrathin sections of petiole tissues of symptomatic samples. 16S rRNA gene and tuf gene of phytoplasma were amplified from the total DNA of symptomatic samples. Phylogeny analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and tuf gene suggested that the pepper witches' broom associated phytoplasma belongs to the subgroup 16SrI-B, which was confirmed by the RFLP analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. The phytoplasma subgroup 16SrI-B was also detected in the vector Cicadella viridis trapped from the infected field. To our knowledge, this is the first report of 16SrI-B phytoplasma causing pepper witches' broom in China.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Yunfeng Wu

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
transmission/dispersal of plant diseases

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	16SrI phytoplasma group	Green pepper/chilli (Capsicum)	China (NE)
	Cicadella viridis	Green pepper/chilli (Capsicum)	China (NE)