Characterization of Phytoplasmas Related to ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ and Peanut WB Group Associated With Sweet Cherry Diseases in Iran

Abstract

Symptoms suggestive of phytoplasma diseases were observed in infected sweet cherry trees growing in the central regions of Iran. Phytoplasmas were detected in symptomatic trees by the nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR) using phytoplasma universal primer pairs (P1⁄Tint, PA2F⁄R, R16F2⁄R2 and NPA2F⁄R). Restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses of 485 bp DNA fragments amplified in nested PCR revealed that different phytoplamas were associated with infected trees. Sequence analyses of phytoplasma 16S rRNA gene and 16S-23S intergenic spacer region indicated that the phytoplasmas related to ÔCa. Phytoplasma asterisÕ and peanut WB group infect sweet cherry trees in these regions. This is the first report of the presence of phytoplasmas related to ÔCa. Phytoplasma asterisÕ and peanut WB group in sweet cherry trees.

‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ and ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia’, New Phytoplasma Species Infecting Apple Trees in Iran

“…; Zirak et al. ,b, ,b), it was expected that other fruit orchards in these regions might be affected with similar phytoplasmas. For many years, apple tress displaying several symptoms of phytoplasma diseases were observed in orchards located in Isfahan and ChaharMahal‐O‐Bakhtiari provinces.…”

Characterization of phytoplasmas related to peanut witches’-broom and stolbur groups associated with alfalfa diseases in Iran

“…In recent years, phytoplasmas of the peanut WB and stolbur groups have been identified as causal agents of many annual crops and trees diseases in Iran (Salehi et al 2005, Zirak et al 2009a, 2009b, 2010a, 2010b. The wide host range of phytoplasmas belonging to the 16SrII and 16SrXII groups is certainly related to the presence of insect vectors.…”

Detection of Russian olive witches’-broom disease and its insect vector in Northwestern Iran

“…However, few perennials have been reported that can be affected by 'Ca. Phytoplasma asteris' in Iran (Zirak et al 2009;Hashemi-Tameh et al 2014a, b). It was expected that 'Ca.…”

“…In the RFLP analyses, Iranian cherry phytoplasma PCh8 (accession number: FJ204397), which was previously collected from central Iran (Zirak et al 2009), and one almond phytoplasma isolate related to 16SrIX phytoplasma group (isolate P25) which was collected in an area near the investigated regions were used as the reference strains for 'Ca. Phytoplasma asteris' and pigeon pea witches'--broom group respectively.…”