First report of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pruni’ infecting cassava in Japan

Abstract

Phytoplasmas are a threat to cassava production, but have not been found from cassava in Japan. Here, we present the discovery of phytoplasma in asymptomatic plants propagated in Japan. A 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the phytoplasma was related to ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pruni’. Analyses based on 16S rRNA, secY, and ribosomal protein gene sequences revealed that the phytoplasma was closely related to phytoplasmas found in cassava in Latin America. Infected plants remained asymptomatic during cultivation for more than 11 months. This is the first molecular evidence of phytoplasma infection in cassava in Japan.