Articles
FIRST REPORT OF PHYTOPLASMAS ASSOCIATED WITH ERYSIMUM LINIFOLIUM STUNTING
Article number
1072_13
Pages
117 – 121
Language
English
Abstract
Erysimum linifolium, Aegean wallflower, is an evergreen perennial compact shrub mostly cultivated to be used in rock gardens or in mixed garden borders.
A phytoplasma-like disease was observed in pot plants at an ornamental grower in northern Italy.
Symptomatic E. linifolium showed reduced leaf size, rosetting and stunting; in some cases, shortening of internodes and growing reduction involved only a part of the plant.
After first symptoms observation, an increasing percentage of symptomatic plants were found at flowering stage, when affected plants did not bloom.
In order to verify phytoplasma presence and to determine their identity, samples from symptomatic and asymptomatic plants were collected and tested by direct PCR followed by nested-PCR and RFLP analyses.
Only in the symptomatic plants phytoplasmas belonging to subgroup 16SrI-B (Candidatus phytoplasma asteris) were identified in both 16Sr and tuf genes.
The detection and identification of aster yellows phytoplasmas in E. linifolium in Italy represents its first report in this species worldwide; considering that it is propagated by seed, it is very likely that leafhoppers are involved in 16SrI-B phytoplasma spreading in this species.
A phytoplasma-like disease was observed in pot plants at an ornamental grower in northern Italy.
Symptomatic E. linifolium showed reduced leaf size, rosetting and stunting; in some cases, shortening of internodes and growing reduction involved only a part of the plant.
After first symptoms observation, an increasing percentage of symptomatic plants were found at flowering stage, when affected plants did not bloom.
In order to verify phytoplasma presence and to determine their identity, samples from symptomatic and asymptomatic plants were collected and tested by direct PCR followed by nested-PCR and RFLP analyses.
Only in the symptomatic plants phytoplasmas belonging to subgroup 16SrI-B (Candidatus phytoplasma asteris) were identified in both 16Sr and tuf genes.
The detection and identification of aster yellows phytoplasmas in E. linifolium in Italy represents its first report in this species worldwide; considering that it is propagated by seed, it is very likely that leafhoppers are involved in 16SrI-B phytoplasma spreading in this species.
Authors
S. Paltrinieri, N. Contaldo, A. Bertaccini, M.G. Bellardi, L. Cavicchi
Keywords
Aegean wallflower, symptomatology, PCR, RFLP, ‘Candidatus phytoplasma asteris’
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