Molecular Characterization of Phytoplasmas Associated with Peach Diseases in Iran

Abstract

Recently, peach trees showing leaf rolling, little leaf, rosetting, yellowing, bronzing of foliage and tattered and shot-holed leaves symptoms were observed in peach growing areas in the central and north-western regions of Iran. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR using phytoplasma universal primer pairs P1/Tint, R16F2/R2, PA2F/R and NPA2F/R were employed to detect phytoplasmas. The nested PCR assays detected phytoplasma infections in 51% of symptomatic peach trees in the major peach production areas in East Azerbaijan, Isfahan, ChaharMahal-O-Bakhtiari and Tehran provinces. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses of 485 bp fragments amplified using primer pair NPA2F/ R in nested PCR revealed that the phytoplasmas associated with infected peaches were genetically different and they were distinct from phytoplasmas that have been associated with peach and almond witchesÕ-broom diseases in the south of Iran. Sequence analyses of partial 16S rDNA and 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer regions demonstrated that ÔCandidatus Phytoplasma aurantifoliaÕ, ÔCa. Phytoplasma solaniÕ and ÔCa. Phytoplasma trifoliiÕ are prevalent in peach growing areas in the central and north-western regions of Iran.

Phytoplasmas and Phytoplasma Diseases: A Severe Threat to Agriculture

“…P. pruni' was mainly identified [58] [59], epidemic outbreaks on almond and stone fruits in the Middle East (Lebanon and Iran) were attributed to 'Ca. P. phoenicium' [60]- [63], whereas in China and India 'Ca. P. ziziphi' was identified as the causal agent of severe declines of trees in both cherry and peach orchards [64].…”

Molecular Study of a New Disease of Peach in Iran Associated with a Phytoplasma

“…Phytoplasma solani" and "Ca. Phytoplasma trifolii" were prevalent in peach growing areas in the central and north-west regions of Iran [7]. During a survey for detection of stone fruit phytoplasma disease in Kurdistan Province of Iran, symptoms including shoot proliferation, yellowing and leaf growth retar-M. G. ZAMHARIR 21 dation were observed on Peach (Prunus persica [L.] Batsch) trees in Sanandaj orchards.…”

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.…”