Molecular Characterization of Phytoplasmas Related to Apple Proliferation and Aster Yellows Groups Associated with Pear Decline Disease in Iran. Issue 10 (17th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hashemi‐Tameh, Mahdis; Bahar, Masoud; Zirak, Leila
• Is Part Of: Journal of phytopathology. Volume 162:Issue 10(2014:Oct.)
• Page Start: 660
• Page End: 669
• Publication Date: 2014-03-17
• Subjects: Plant diseases -- Periodicals; 632
• DOI: 10.1111/jph.12245
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0931-1785

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jph12245-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Pear trees showing pear decline disease symptoms were observed in pear orchards in the centre and north of Iran. Detection of phytoplasmas using universal primer pair P1A/P7A followed by primer pair R16F2n/R16R2 in nested PCR confirmed association of phytoplasmas with diseased pear trees. However, PCR using group‐specific primer pairs R16(X)F1/R16(X)R1 and rp(I)F1A/rp(I)R1A showed that Iranian pear phytoplasmas are related to apple proliferation and aster yellows groups. Moreover, PCR results using primer pair ESFYf/ESFYr specific to 16SrX‐B subgroup indicated that '<italic>Ca</italic>. Phytoplasma prunorum' is associated with pear decline disease in the north of Iran. RFLP analyses using <italic>Hae</italic>III<italic>, Hha</italic>I, <italic>Hin</italic>fI<italic>, Hpa</italic>II and <italic>Rsa</italic>I restriction enzymes confirmed the PCR results. Partial 16S rRNA, <italic>imp</italic>, <italic> rp</italic> and <italic>secY</italic> genes sequence analyses approved that '<italic>Ca</italic>. Phytoplasma pyri' and '<italic>Ca</italic>. Phytoplasma asteris' cause pear decline disease in the centre of Iran, whereas '<italic>Ca</italic>. Phytoplasma prunorum' causes disease in the north of Iran. This is the first report of the association of '<italic>Ca</italic>. Phytoplasma asteris' and '<italic>Ca</italic>. Phytoplasma prunorum' with pear decline disease worldwide.</p> </abstract>