First report of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii’-related strain presence in Juniperus procubens witches’ broom in Iran

Abstract

During 2018 in the Kordkouy (Golestan province) of Iran, Japanese juniper trees with witches’ broom symptoms similar to those associated with phytoplasma presence were observed and sampling was carried out to verify the presence of these bacteria. Phylogeny of PCR amplified 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that individual trees were infected by a ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii’-related strain. This study reveals that this phytoplasma is more widespread geographically than previously reported in Iran. This is the first report of these phytoplasmas presence in juniper witches’ broom disease worldwide.