Detection of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’ and ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum’ in apple trees

Abstract

The apple orchards in Niğde, Turkiye were surveyed for ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’ associated with apple proliferation disease, and the suspicious samples were tested by PCR-RFLP methods. A comprehensive study was conducted which included sampling from a total of 19 orchards from four different districts. The samples were collected according to the major symptoms of phytoplasma disease which were foliar reddening, witches’ brooms, leaf rosettes, yellowing, longer peduncles and development of undersized fruits. It was determined that six out of 62 plant samples were infected with pyhtoplasma. Also, two out of six infected samples were determined as infected by ‘Ca. P. mali’ and unexpectedly four out of six infected samples were determined as infected by ‘Ca. P. prunorum’ associated with European Stone Fruit Yellows disease. Even if the incidence of the disease (9.7%) was low, the characterized phytoplasmas were considered as a significant potential threat for these locations.
 Key words: PCR-RFLP Survey, Niğde, Apple proliferation, European stone fruit yellows