engleski

First report of a 16SrIX-C group phytoplasma infecting Chicorium endivia L. and Zea mays L. in Croatia

Phytoplasmas are wall-less bacteria assigned to the genus ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’ within the class Mollicutes, comprising more than 40 distinct clades based on their 16S rDNA. The pigeon pea witches’-broom group (16SrIX ribosomal group) consists of diverse phytoplasma strains causing diseases in leguminous and herbaceous plants, vegetable crops, a nut crop (almond), herbs and weeds and, recently, a forest tree (juniper) and a fruit crop (blueberry) in various geographical regions including North and South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Sample of chicory (Chicorium endivia L.) showing phyllody symptoms, often associated with phytoplasmoses, was collected in July 2019 in vineyard surroundings in Vižinada (Istria county). In September 2019, in Koprivničko-križevačka county root samples from maize plants (Zea mays L.) with reddening symptoms were collected. Total nucleic acids were extracted followed by detection and identification of phytoplasma by PCR/RFLP analyses of 16S rDNA. Amplified 16S rDNA fragments were cloned and sequenced. For more detailed molecular characterization, rp and secY genes were amplified, sequenced and phylogenetic analysis were performed. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA showed that phytoplasma strains from chicory and maize had distinct sequences clustering together with 16SrIX-C subgroup. Phylogenetic analysis of rp and secY confirmed the affiliation to the ribosomal group IX. This is the first report of phytoplasma infecting chicory and maize, as well as the first report of group IX phytoplasma in Croatia. Finding of closely related 16SrIX-C strains in different plant-hosts from geographically distant regions urges future studies in elucidation the epidemiology and identification of possible insect-vectors.

‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’ ; Chicorium endivia L. ; Zea mays L. ; 16SrIX-C ; 16S rDNA ; vector ; group IX phytoplasma ; phytoplasma

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