Cyperus rotundusL. a new host species for ‘CandidatusPhytoplasma aurantifolia’ - related phytoplasmas in Cuba

Abstract

The identification of phytoplasmas in asymptomatic plants of Cyperus rotundus growing in common bean crops cultivated in Cuba is reported and the potential r isk of infection to cultivated species is discussed. The detected phytoplasmas belong to ribosomal group 16SrII, as confirmed by homology on part of the 16S rDNA sequence obtained after sequencing amplicons obtained in nested-PCR assays. This is the first report of the presence of 16SrII phytoplasmas in C. rotundus; further studies are necessary to assess the epidemiologic aspects of this finding in Cuban hort icultural cultivations especially in common beans