Phytoplasma identification in iberis exhibiting stunting and witches’ broom symptoms

Abstract

Iberis sempervirens samples from varieties Tahoe and Fish Back showing stunting, yellowing and witches’ broom symptoms were tested to verify possible phytoplasma presence. Detection of 16SrX group phytoplasmas was obtained after nested PCR amplification and RFLP analyses in both varieties. Sequencing of 16Sr DNA allowed verification that phytoplasmas from iberis showed 99% identity with ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’. Moreover, RFLP analyses also indicated the presence of aster yellows phytoplasmas (subgroups 16SrI-B and -A) in mixed infection with 16SrX phytoplasmas in the Fish Back variety. This is the first report of phytoplasma infection in iberis and also one of the few detections of phytoplasmas related to 16SrX-A group from an herbaceous species worldwide.