Rubus Stunt Research Articles

Genome Comparison of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma rubi’ with Genomes of Other 16SrV Phytoplasmas Highlights Special Group Features

Phytoplasmas are associated with important bacterial diseases, causing severe symptoms in agricultural and ornamental crops. ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma rubi’, associated with the Rubus stunt in raspberries (Rubus idaeus) and blackberries (Rubus subgenus Rubus), causes shortened internodes, elongated sepals, proliferation, phyllody, and virescence. The recently published genome of ‘Ca. P. rubi’ RS enabled a comprehensive genomic comparison to the complete genomes of 16SrV phytoplasmas, comprising strains of the flavescence dorée-associated phytoplasma CH and two ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma ziziphi’ strains. Besides the typical transporters and metabolic features of phytoplasmas, the phosphorolysis of sucrose and the utilization of the carboxylic acid L-lactate became apparent for the 16SrV-group. With respect to the effector repertoire and the encoded immunodominant membrane proteins involved in host colonization, the group revealed conserved features that comprise the variable membrane proteins A and B. However, SAP11- and SAP54 orthologs were limited to ‘Ca. P. rubi’ RS and ‘Ca. P. ziziphi’. Genome-sequence-based phylogenetic analysis supports the close relationship of these genomes relative to alder yellows phytoplasmas. The analyses supported the impact of the mobilome on phytoplasma evolution but also highlighted that there is the possibility of identifying phytoplasmas with a larger metabolic repertoire in the future.

Development of a Real-Time PCR Assay for the Detection and Identification of Rubus Stunt Phytoplasma in Rubus spp.

Rubus stunt, caused by 'Candidatus Phytoplasma rubi' (Rubus stunt phytoplasma; RSP), is an economically important disease of Rubus. This disease occurs in wild and cultivated Rubus spp. in Europe but has not been reported from North America; however, its major leafhopper vector is well established in western Canada and the U.S.A. RSP has the potential to impact the cane-fruit industry by significantly compromising yields and impacting export potential for Rubus propagation material. To mitigate the risk of this disease entering or establishing, import and export testing of propagation material is a phytosanitary requirement in Canada, the U.S.A., and other countries regulating RSP. In the absence of a specific test for RSP, the current testing scheme involves the use of a generic test to screen for phytoplasmas followed by additional time-consuming procedures to confirm the phytoplasma species. In this study, a real-time PCR assay, targeting a 154-bp region of tuf gene, was developed for sensitive and specific detection of RSP in Rubus spp. The developed assay detected a minimum of five target copies, and no cross-reactivity was observed even with the 'Ca. P. rubi'-related strain associated with blackberry witches' broom, which differs from RSP only by a single nucleotide polymorphism in the target region. Repeatability of the developed assay was checked on two real-time PCR platforms with acceptable results. In conclusion, this real-time PCR assay provides a sensitive and specific detection of RSP for mitigating the introduction and spread of Rubus stunt disease in Rubus spp.

First report of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma rubi' associated with Rubus stunt disease of raspberry and blackberry in the Czech Republic.

Raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.), occurring in the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere and blackberries (R. fruticosus L.), cultivated and growing all over the world, are plant species of the family Rosaceae. These species are susceptible to phytoplasma infections, which cause Rubus stunt disease. It spreads uncontrolled by vegetative propagation of plants (Linck and Reineke 2019a) and by phloem-sucking insect vectors, especially Macropsis fuscula (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) (de Fluiter and van der Meer, 1953; Linck and Reineke 2019b). During a survey in commercial field in June 2021, over 200 raspberry bushes cv Enrosadira exhibiting typical symptoms of Rubus stunt were observed in Central Bohemia. Symptoms included dieback, leaf yellowing/reddening, stunted growth, severe phyllody and fruit malformations. Most diseased plants were growing in the edge rows of the field (about 80%). No symptomatic plants were observed in the middle of the field. Similar symptoms were observed in private gardens in South Bohemia on raspberry cv Rutrago and blackberry (unknown cultivar) in June 2018 and August 2022, respectively. DNA was extracted using the DNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen GmbH, Hilden, Germany) from flower stems and parts affected by phyllody of seven symptomatic plants as well as flower stems, leaf midribs, and petioles of five asymptomatic field plants. The DNA extracts were analyzed by a nested polymerase chain reaction assay using universal phytoplasma P1A/P7A primers followed by R16F2m/R1m and the group-specific R16(V)F1/R1 primers (Bertaccini et al. 2019). All samples from the symptomatic plants yielded an amplicon of expected size, while no product was amplified in asymptomatic plants. The P1A/P7A amplicons from three selected plants (two raspberries and one blackberry, each from different location) were cloned and bi-directionally Sanger sequenced (GenBank Accession Nos.OQ520100-2). The sequences spanned nearly full-length of 16S rRNA gene, 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer, tRNA-Ile gene, and a partial 23S rRNA gene. BLASTn search revealed the highest sequence identity (99.8-99.9%, query coverage 100%) to 'Candidatus Phytoplasma rubi' strain RS (GenBank Accession No. CP114006). To further characterize the 'Ca. P. rubi' strains, all these three samples were subjected to multigene sequence analysis. Sequences from a major portion of the tuf, rplV-rpsC, rpsH-rplR, uvrB-degV, and rplO-SecY-map genes (Acc. Nos. OQ506112-26) were obtained as described previously (Fránová et al. 2016). Comparison to GenBank sequences confirmed their highest identity (99.6-100%, query coverage 100%) with 'Ca. P. rubi' RS strain, regardless of their geographic location and host (raspberry or blackberry). Recently, Bertaccini et al. (2022) suggested the 98,65 % 'Ca. Phytoplasma' strain identity threshold within 16Sr RNA sequences. In this survey, all three strains sequenced shared ≥99.73% sequence identity of the analysed 16S rRNA gene sequences and the high identity in the other genes with the reference 'Ca. P. rubi' RS strain. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Rubus stunt disease in the Czech Republic as well as the first molecular identification and characterization of 'Ca. P. rubi' from raspberry and blackberry in our country. As Rubus stunt disease is of great economic importance (Linck and Reineke 2019a), the pathogen detection and prompt removal of the diseased shrubs are essential to mitigating the spread and impact of the disease.

Macropsis scotti (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) detected in Portugal in blackberry (Rubus) plants, associated with a Rubus stunt disease outbreak

AbstractAn outbreak of Rubus stunt disease occurred in a berry production area in South‐West Portugal. Both wild and cultivated blackberry plants showed symptoms. Macropsis spp. (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) are recognized vectors of the phytoplasma responsible for this disease in Rubus plants. Surveys were conducted in 2016, 2017 and 2018 to look for the vector. All Macropsis specimens collected belonged to M. scotti Edwards and evidence suggests that it had a vectoring role in this outbreak. Owing its monophagy on blackberry plants, it is not likely that it will transfer the disease to the raspberry crop, which is far more economically important in the region than blackberry production.

Rubus stunt: a review of an important phytoplasma disease in Rubus spp.

Phytoplasmas are cell wall-less plant pathogenic bacteria that colonize the phloem of their host plants and can be transferred by plant sap-sucking hemipteran insects or by vegetative propagation. In Rubus species such as red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and blackberry (Rubus subgenus Rubus), phytoplasmas cause a disease which is referred to as Rubus stunt. Disease symptoms of Rubus stunt include stunting, witches’ broom, small leaves, short internodes, enlarged sepals, phyllody, flower proliferation, and fruit malformations. Rubus stunt is widely spread geographically and has been reported to be present throughout Europe, the former Soviet Union, the USA, Pakistan, and Turkey. As the incubation period of Rubus stunt can be up to 1 year and Rubus plants are usually produced by vegetative propagation, there is a high risk of spreading this disease in planting material. In addition, Rubus stunt is commonly overlooked because disease symptoms are often inconspicuous. Therefore, Rubus stunt has a high economic importance in these high-input crops with large initial investments. Here, we review the current state of knowledge on the causative agents of Rubus stunt, their spread, and control measures.

Elimination of Phytoplasmas in Rubus Mother Plants by Tissue Culture Coupled with Heat Therapy.

Phytoplasmas are plant-pathogenic bacteria that cause a disease in Rubus species which is referred to as Rubus stunt. As phytoplasmas can be spread by vegetative propagation and latency periods of Rubus stunt can be up to one year, the use of pathogen-free Rubus propagation material in plant nurseries is important in order to stop the spread of this disease. Even though heat therapy has been commonly applied against viruses in many plants, its potential for phytoplasma eradication has been much less explored. Here, the efficacy of heat therapy with subsequent tissue culture to eliminate phytoplasmas from infected raspberry and blackberry plants is evaluated. Heat therapy was performed on 25 phytoplasma-infected raspberry and 33 infected blackberry plants, out of which 100 raspberry and 65 blackberry plants were regenerated via subsequent tissue culture. All plants were negative for the presence of phytoplasma DNA by qPCR at the end of cultivation periods of 481 to 565 days for the treated raspberry plants and 231 to 337 days for the treated blackberry plants. These results show the suitability of heat therapy combined with tissue culture as a routine tool to ensure the presence of phytoplasma-free Rubus mother plants in nurseries.

Preliminary survey on putative insect vectors for Rubus stunt phytoplasmas

AbstractPhytoplasmas are cell wall‐less phytopathogenic bacteria which are associated with a disease in Rubus species known as Rubus stunt. Symptoms range from stunting, witches’ broom, small leaves, short internodes, enlarged sepals, phyllody and flower proliferation to fruit malformations. Phytoplasmas can be spread by vegetative propagation and by phloem‐feeding insect vectors. However, little is known about the spectrum and distribution of putative Rubus stunt insect vectors. In this study, a screening of putative insect vectors of Rubus stunt in raspberry plantations in southern and northern Germany was carried out during two successive years (2014 and 2015) with multiple sampling dates throughout the growing seasons. A total of 2,891 hemipteran insects were sorted, identified to family, genus or species level when possible, and a subset of 319 DNA samples containing a sum of 932 selected individuals representing all identified species, sampling locations and sampling dates were tested for phytoplasma DNA using qPCR. Altogether, eight DNA samples were positive for phytoplasma DNA, among them species from the genera Euscelidius, Macrosteles, Euscelis, Anaceratagalliaand Psammotettix. These data will form the basis for choosing and timing appropriate control measures against Rubus stunt and also for potential insect vector transmission experiments.

First report of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma rubi’ on blackberry in Belgium

In May 2018 stunted blackberry plants were observed on a small-scale organic farm producing several small fruit types in West Flanders, Belgium. Besides severe stunting, leaf yellowing and distortions could also be observed (Figs. 1-2). Only Rubus fruticosus plants of the cultivar Obsidian showed symptoms but disease incidence was estimated to be almost 100%, of which almost half the plants were stunted. Other cultivars did not seem affected. Seven symptom-bearing plants, of which four had severe stunting, and three only leaf symptoms, were sampled and tested. Additionally, three symptomless plants from neighbouring rows and belonging to different cultivars, were tested. All samples consisted of leaves and roots, and tests were conducted on a pooled leaf/root sample. Total genomic DNA was extracted by a CTAB protocol. The 16S rRNA gene was partially amplified using the phytoplasma universal primer pair P1/P7 (Deng & Hiruki, 2; Schneider et al., 5) followed by a nested PCR with R16F2/R2 primers (Lee et al., 3) as a diagnostic test, and P1/Tint primers (Smart et al., 6) on positive samples for sequencing. All of the diseased plants tested positive for phytoplasma in nested PCR tests. Additionally, specific phytoplasma group V primers targeting the tuf (FDTUF-F1/R1 & FDTUF-F2/R2; Malembic-Maher et al., 4), and secY (primer sets FD9f2L/FD9r & FD9f3L/FD9r2L; Arnaud et al., 1) genes were used in nested PCRs and yielded fragments of 998 and 1174 bp respectively. The obtained 16SrRNA (P1/Tint), tuf and secY fragments were gel purified (SmartPure, Eurogentec), and sequenced directly (Genewiz, Leipzig, Germany). BLAST analysis of the 16SrRNA sequence, revealed the highest identity (99.85%) with a ‘Rubus stunt phytoplasma’ strain from blackberry (R. fruticosus) in Italy (isolate RuS400; GenBank Accession No. AY197649). Partial sequence of the 16S ribosomal RNA (1607 bp), and tuf (835 bp) and secY (1053 bp) genes were submitted to GenBank (MH801133, MH809672 and MH809673, respectively). Phylogenetic analysis was undertaken on all three fragments, and the phytoplasma was identified as ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma rubi’, ‘elm yellows’ group 16SrV-E (Figs. 3-5). To our knowledge, this is the first report of ‘Ca. P. rubi’ on blackberry in Belgium. An additional nationwide survey is needed to assess the phytopathological impact of this outbreak. Although a growing number of reports indicate the increased importance of Rubus stunt, associated with ‘Ca. P. rubi’, unlike the related ‘Ca. P. ulmi’, associated with elm trees, no regulatory actions are currently taken against this pathogen.

A multiplex TaqMan qPCR assay for sensitive and rapid detection of phytoplasmas infecting Rubus species.

Rubus stunt is an economically important disease in the production of raspberries, blackberries, and loganberries. A fast, sensitive, and reliable diagnosis of phytoplasmas, the causal agent of the disease, is of prime importance to stop its spread by vegetative propagation and by insect vectors. Therefore, multiplex qPCR assays using TaqMan probes with different kinds of fluorophores in one reaction were developed, allowing the detection of phytoplasmas in general as well as a more specific detection of phytoplasmas belonging to group 16SrV and host DNA (either plant or insect). This assay now provides a practical tool for the screening of motherplants and monitoring the presence and distribution of phytoplasmas in Rubus plants of different geographic origins, cultivars, and cultivation systems, as well as in putative insect vectors like leafhoppers.

Control of rubus stunt and stolbur diseases in Madagascar periwinkle with mycorrhizae and a synthetic antibacterial peptide

Three experimental treatments consisting of inoculation with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, application of a synthetic antimicrobial peptide or application of a resistance inducer, were evaluated in Madagascar periwinkle as control methods for rubus stunt and stolbur diseases caused by ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma rubi’ and ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’, respectively. Two experiments were conducted under controlled environment conditions. In the first experiment, 4 months after graft-inoculating the phytoplasmas, the root colonization achieved by Rhizophagus irregularis significantly reduced both disease symptoms and the frequency of detection of the pathogens by real-time PCR. In the second experiment, the antimicrobial peptide BP100 totally prevented disease symptoms, despite the molecular detection of the phytoplasmas in 75% and 50% of the plants inoculated with ‘Ca. Phytoplasma rubi’ and ‘Ca. Phytoplasma solani’, respectively, and was more effective than benzothiadiazole (BTH) at increasing resistance against the pathogenic infections. A potential combination of early mycorrhizal inoculation and BP100 antimicrobial peptide application is envisaged as a future control strategy for phytoplasma diseases.

Rubus stunt in raspberries: a multiplex TaqMan qPCR assay for sensitive detection of phytoplasmas inRubusspecies

Rubus stunt is an economically important disease in the production of raspberries, blackberries, and loganberries. A fast, sensitive, and reliable detection of phytoplasmas, the agents associated with the disease, is of prime importance to stop its spread by vegetative propagation and by insect vectors. Therefore, two multiplex qPCR assays using TaqMan probes in combination with up to four different kinds of fluorophores in the same reaction were developed, allowing the detection of phytoplasmas. Moreover the specific detection of different phytoplasma groups that have previously been identified in Rubus species was achieved. This assay is applied to monitor presence and distribution of phytoplasmas in Rubus plants of different geographic origins, cultivars and cultivation systems as well as in putative insect vectors.

First Report of Candidatus Phytoplasma solani on Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) in Bulgaria.

While performing a routine field survey on 2-year-old canes of Rubus fruticosus (cv. Evergreen Thornless) in the region of Plovdiv (central southern Bulgaria), severe stunting of single or grouped plants (3 to 4 in a row) was found in late August of 2009. It was noteworthy that the leaves of these plants were curved upwards and stayed green until the end of the season. The bushy aspect of the diseased plants led to the assumption of a phytoplasma origin; therefore, specific PCR and sequence based identification methods were applied on leaves, petioles, and stems from three infected Rubus plants grown in different rows of the field (midsummer, nine samples in total) and the same number of asymptomatic samples. Partial amplification of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene with generic phytoplasma primer pairs P1/P7 and fu5/ru3 (3), followed by a nested PCR specific for all members of the Phytoplasma stolbur subgroup by means of the stol11 primers (1), and an RFLP analysis of the tuf gene (elongation factor Tu) fragment produced with PCR primers tufAY/r tufAY (3), were used for the identification and characterization of the pathogen. All target amplicons were also sequenced by Macrogen (Seoul, South Korea) following gel purification (Nucleospoin Plant II, Macher-Nagel). Identical sequences were obtained from each of the P1/P7-derived amplicons (100% homology between samples) and a consensus 1,142 bp sequence was delineated and submitted to NCBI GenBank with accession no. JF293091. It had the highest similarity (99 to 100%) to sequences of 'Bois noir' phytoplasma (e.g. HQ589193; Candidatus Phytoplasma solani, position 29 to 1,171). The fu5/ru3 amplicons produced sequences that showed 99.5% homology to the Ca. Phytoplasma solani strains of a southern Russian and Romanian phytoplasma survey on different hosts (potato, tomato, Convolvulus) (GenBank Accession No. HM449999 to HM4450002). The stolbur specific primers also produced an amplicon in all samples and again the consensus sequence was identified (100% homology between the samples) and deposited in GenBank (JN561701). RFLP analysis of the tuf gene with the enzymes HindIII, HinfI, HpaII, and TaqI (Fermentas) produced the same profile types for the different samples and clearly allocated the phytoplasma in the tuf type-b (VKII), according to (2). This type is commonly reported as associated with bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). Additionally, the sequenced tufAY fragment also confirmed a 100% correspondence with the submitted Tu elongation factor fragments of Ca. Phytoplasma solani strains in GenBank. No phytoplasma was detected in symptomless blackberry plants that were sampled from the same plot. In the molecular identification tests, a stolbur phytoplasma control (potato isolate), a Rubus stunt (EY subgroup, 16SrV) and an apple proliferation phytoplasma (AP subgroup, 16SrX) were used as controls. Based on the symptoms and the laboratory results, we concluded that the Rubus plants were infected by Ca. Phytoplasma solani, a species belonging to the stolbur subgroup (16SrXII-A). To our knowledge, this is the first report of Ca. Phytoplasma solani on Rubus fruticosus in Bulgaria. The disease is not likely to be an isolated case in the future because of the pathogen's spread on other hosts and the expected increase in blackberry fields.

Genetic diversity of European phytoplasmas of the 16SrV taxonomic group and proposal of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma rubi’

In addition to the grapevine flavescence dorée phytoplasmas, other members of taxonomic group 16SrV phytoplasmas infect grapevines, alders and species of the genera Clematis and Rubus in Europe. In order to investigate which phytoplasmas constitute discrete, species-level taxa, several strains were analysed by comparing their 16S rRNA gene sequences and a set of five housekeeping genes. Whereas 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values were >97.5 %, the proposed threshold to distinguish two 'Candidatus Phytoplasma' taxa, phylogenetic analysis of the combined sequences of the tuf, rplV-rpsC, rplF-rplR, map and uvrB-degV genetic loci showed that two discrete phylogenetic clusters could be clearly distinguished. The first cluster grouped flavescence dorée (FD) phytoplasmas, alder yellows (AldY) phytoplasmas, Clematis (CL) phytoplasmas and the Palatinate grapevine yellows (PGY) phytoplasmas. The second cluster comprised Rubus stunt (RS) phytoplasmas. In addition to the specificity of the insect vector, the Rubus stunt phytoplasma contained specific sequences in the 16S rRNA gene. Hence, the Rubus stunt phytoplasma 16S rRNA gene was sufficiently differentiated to represent a novel putative taxon: 'Candidatus Phytoplasma rubi'.

Flavescence dorée phytoplasma affecting grapevine (Vitis vinifera) newly reported in Portugal

In 2007, during an official Flavescence dorée (FD) survey, typical FD symptoms, associated with desiccation of inflorescences, withering of clusters, irregular maturation of the wood, leaf rolling, typical vein banding, leaf yellowing on white grapevine variety Loureiro and leaf reddening on red variety Vinhão, were observed in vineyards from Amares region in northern Portugal. In 2002, similar but less severe symptoms occurring in the same region were associated with 16SrI phytoplasmas (‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’), subgroup 16SrI-B (De Sousa et al., 2003). Cuttings and leaf samples were collected from plants with and without symptoms. Total DNA was extracted (Angelini et al., 2001) and assayed in a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers P1/P7 (Deng & Hiruki, 1991) followed by either R16F2n/R16R2 (F2n/R2) (Gundersen & Lee, 1996) or R16F1(V)/R16V1731r (F1/V1) (Martini et al., 1999). Phytoplasma strains from group 16SrV (‘Ca. Phytoplasma ulmi’), elm yellows (EY1) and rubus stunt (RUS), were used as reference controls. Healthy C. roseus and no template DNA were used as negative controls. All plants with symptoms and reference controls showed PCR products (F2n/R2 and F1/V1), absent from samples from symptomless plants. Two representative F2n/R2 amplicons, were cloned, sequenced and deposited in GenBank (FJ611961 and FJ611962). The phytoplasma 16S rRNA sequences were identical and shared 99-100% identity with those of group 16SrV. FD phytoplasmas from Portugal exhibited the characteristic FD-D TaqI RFLP pattern. This is the first report of FD-D in grapevine in northern Portugal. Although the current FD outbreak is limited to Amares region, the high pressure of the Scaphoideus titanus vector populations imposes a threat for FD spread, and a current alert for the Ministry of Agriculture (DGADR). The implementation of strategies for effective control of S.titanus and FD have been suggested and included in the Portuguese legislation (Portaria nº 976/2008, 1 September). The authors would like to thank regional technicians (Entre-Douro-e-Minho and Trás-Montes) for supplying grapevine samples.

PM 4/10(2): Certification scheme forRubus

Specific scopeThis standard describes the production of certified pathogen‐tested material ofRubus.Specific approval and amendmentFirst approved in 2004–09.Revised in 2009–09.

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON RUBUS STUNT (RS) IN BLACKBERRY ORCHARDS LOCATED NEAR TRENTO (ITALY)

Rubus stunt phytoplasma (RS), a member of the elm yellows phytoplasma group, is widespread in Rubus in continental Europe. The recent introduction of new berry cultivars in Trento province (Northern Italy) prompted us to obtain more information about the spreading of RS and other phytoplasmas in these crops. In late spring/summer 2002 field observations were carried out in different commercial berry fruit crops and in related wild species. Rubus stunt-like symptoms were observed only in few plants of Rubus spinosa cv. Topee and in almost the 43 % of plants in a blackberry crop of 'Lochness' located in the Adige valley. The predominant symptoms observed on these two-three years old plants have been virescence, phyllody and other severe flower and fruit anomalies. Stunted growth, short internodes, few canes, proliferation of shoots from the base and leaf reddening in early autumn were also common. RS has been reported to be spread mainly by leafhoppers (Macropsis sp.). Chromotropic traps used in the crops did not permit captures of individuals of Macropsis spp; Macrosteles cristatus, the largest leafhopper collected, was analysed. The results confirmed a strict association between the symptoms and the detection of RS phytoplasma; no other phytoplasmas were found. PCR and nested-PCR also failed to detect phytoplasmas in the symptomless plants and in all Macrosteles groups tested. Rubus stunt is not widespread in the Trento province and Macropsis fuscula hasn’t been found; therefore vegetative propagation might have contributed to the dissemination of this pathogen. For this reason epidemiological studies are in progress, also on wild blackberries, to detect and eliminate sources of infection.

VIRUS DISEASES OF RUBUS AND STRATEGIES FOR THEIR CONTROL

VIRUS DISEASES OF RUBUS AND STRATEGIES FOR THEIR CONTROL

Revised Subgroup Classification of Group 16SrV Phytoplasmas and Placement of Flavescence Dorée-Associated Phytoplasmas in Two Distinct Subgroups.

The subgroup classification of phytoplasmas in 16S rRNA group 16SrV (elm yellows phytoplasma group) was revised and extended on the basis of enzymatic restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of ribosomal (r) DNA and analysis of putative restriction sites in nucleotide sequences. A 1.85 kbp fragment of the rRNA operon from flavescence dorée (FD) phytoplasma strain FD70 from France was amplified and cloned, and its nucleotide sequence determined (GenBank acc. no. AF176319). Placement of FD70 in subgroup V-C was verified by analysis of amplified DNA and of the cloned sequence. Hemp dogbane phytoplasma HD1 (AF122912), a member of subgroup V-C, was distinguished from other subgroup V-C phytoplasmas by putative restriction site differences in the 16S-23S rRNA spacer region. A previously published FD phytoplasma sequence (GenBank accession no. X76560) differed from FD70 sequence AF176319 by at least eight nucleotide substitutions and differences in putative restriction sites. The X76560 FD phytoplasma was classified in a new subgroup (V-D). Based on analyses of 16S rDNA GenBank sequence Y16395, Rubus stunt phytoplasma was classified in new subgroup V-E. The revised classification was supported by sequence similarities, group 16SrV-characteristic sequences, and a phylogenetic tree constructed on the basis of 16S rDNA sequences.

Detection and Indentification of European Stone Fruit Yellows and Other Phytoplasmas in Wild Plants in the Surroundings of Apricot Chlorotic Leaf Roll-affected Orchards in Southern France

Between 1994 and 1998 a field study was conducted to identify plant hosts of the European stone fruit yellows (ESFY) phytoplasma in two apricot growing regions in southern and southwestern France where the incidence of apricot chlorotic leaf roll was high. A total of 431 samples from 51 different plant species were tested for the presence of phytoplasmas by PCR using universal and ESFY-specific primers. ESFY phytoplasma was detected in six different wild growing Prunus species exhibiting typical ESFY symptoms as well as in symptomless dog rose bushes (Rosa canina), ash trees (Fraxinus excelsior) and a declining hackberry (Celtis australis). The possible role of these plant species in the spread of ESFY phytoplasma is discussed. PCR-RFLP analysis of ribosomal DNA amplified with the universal primers was carried out to characterize the other phytoplasmas found. Thus, elm yellows phytoplasma, alder yellows phytoplasma and rubus stunt phytoplasma were detected in declining European field elm trees (Ulmus carpinifolia Gled), in declining European alder trees (Alnus glutinosa) and in proliferating Rubus spp. respectively. The presence of rubus stunt phytoplasma in great mallow (Malva sylvestris) and dog rose was demonstrated for the first time. Furthermore, the stolbur phytoplasma was detected in proliferating field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) and a previously undescribed phytoplasma type was detected in red dogwood (Cornus sanguinea). According to the 16S rDNA-RFLP pattern this new phytoplasma belongs to the stolbur phytoplasmas group.

The occurrence of two phytoplasmas associated with stunted Rubus species in the UK

Polymerase chain reaction using universal primers to sequences in the 16S rRNA gene, and group-specific primers to sequences in the 16S/23S spacer region, revealed two distinct phytoplasmas occurring in Rubus plants showing symptoms of rubus stunt. One phytoplasma appeared similar to phytoplasmas in the elm yellows group; the other appeared to fall into the X disease group. This finding was confirmed by RFLP analysis of PCR products. This is the first identification of phytoplasmas from either of these groups occurring in the UK, and the first report of a phytoplasma belonging to the X disease group in Rubus.