Abstract
Acerola bushes were observed showing symptoms of shoot proliferation, generalized stunting, yellowing and decline. Since these symptoms are typically induced by phytoplasmas, this survey was carried out with the aim of detecting, identifying and classifying the supposed phytoplasma present in symptomatic bushes. Total DNA was extracted from symptomatic and asymptomatic samples and used in nested PCR conducted by the primer pairs R16mF2/mR1 followed by R16F2n/R2. Amplifications of expected genomic fragments of 1.2 kb revealed the presence of phytoplasma in 73 % of the symptomatic samples. Molecular analyses, using computer-simulated RFLP patterns, similarity coefficient calculation and phylogenetic analysis allowed for classifying the bacterium as a ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pruni’ – related strain (subgroup 16SrIII-F). The phytoplasma induced the same symptoms in healthy acerola plants inoculated by grafting and showed molecular identity with the strain identified in naturally infected bushes. Although various strains belonging to distinct subgroups within the 16SrIII group have been previously identified in Brazil, this is the first report of the presence of a representative of the 16SrIII-F subgroup in the Brazilian agroecosystem. Considering that phytoplasmas can be systemically distributed throughout the plant and acerola plants are vegetatively propagated, it is recommended that propagation material be obtained from mother plants free of the pathogen.
Highlights
Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC) is a bush belonging to the Malpighiaceae family, a native species of South and Central America (Leffa et al, 2014; Silva et al, 2019)
Molecular analyses, using computer-simulated RFLP patterns, similarity coefficient calculation and phylogenetic analysis allowed for classifying the bacterium as a ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pruni’ – related strain
The sequence selected to represent the phytoplasma identified in the acerola bushes was denominated ASPBr01 (Acerola Shoot Proliferation-Brazil 01) and deposited in the GenBank database under accession number MT153591
Summary
Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC) is a bush belonging to the Malpighiaceae family, a native species of South and Central America (Leffa et al, 2014; Silva et al, 2019). The phytoplasma induced the same symptoms in healthy acerola plants inoculated by grafting and showed molecular identity with the strain identified in naturally infected bushes.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
