Identification of 16SrIX-B phytoplasmas associated with apricot rosette in Iran

Abstract

During a survey, samples of apricot (Prunus armanica) with rosette symptoms were collected from Sistan O Bluchestan province of Iran. DNA was extracted from samples using CTAB method and nested PCR analysis were performed for amplifying phytoplasma 16S rDNA. The nested PCR products were sequenced and compared with 16S rRNA published phytoplasma sequences. The sequences of apricot rosette phytoplasma 16S rRNA deposited in GenBank (accession no. MG748605, MG748606, MG748607, MG748608 and MG748609). The results showed apricot rosette phytoplasma strains share 99% similaritywith 'Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium' isolate PEYc2 (JX857827) and 'Ca. Phytoplasma phoenicium' isolate NaxYc3 (JN791266). In silico RFLP and phylogenetic analyses of apricot rosette phytoplasma 16S rRNA gene sequence demonstrated that these phytoplasma strains related to the 16SrIX-B phytoplasma subgroup. Among phytoplasma diseases, those attributed to group 16SrIX strains are most numerous and affect the widest plant host range in Iran. To best of our knowledge, it's the new report of a subgroup 16SrIX-B phytoplasma associated with new disease in apricot in the country.