Occurrence of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia’ (16SrII group) in Bolivia
Abstract
During a survey for phytoplasma at the PROINPA Foundation, Cochabamba, Bolivia, in June 2008, plants of podocarpus (Podocarpus macrophyllus) showed symptoms of shortened internodes, leaf size reduction, and proliferation compared to healthy ones, while those of rose (Rosa sp.) exhibited little leaf and yellowing. Both podocarpus and rose are widely distributed ornamental plants in the urban area of Cochabamba, and symptoms were observed in at least 20% of the plants of each species surveyed at PROINPA. Symptoms of leaf deformation, crinkling, and curling were shown by wild plants of tomatillo (Physalis ixocarpa) growing nearby. BLAST comparisons indicated that the 16S rDNA sequences of these phytoplasmas showed the highest identity (99%) with those of phytoplasma members of group 16SrII, 'Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia' [Phytoplasma aurantifolia]. This is the first report of phytoplasmas of group 16SrII in Bolivia, and its association with diseases in podocarpus, tomatillo and rose plants.
Citation
Arocha, Y.; Plata, G.; Franco, J.; Maín, G.; Veramendi, S.; Lazcano, F.; Crespo, J.L.; Lino, V.; Calderón, C.; Llerena, R.; Andrew, R.; Antezana, O.; Gutiérrez, A.; Coca, M.; Boa, E. Occurrence of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia’ (16SrII group) in Bolivia. Plant Pathology (2010) 59 (2) 396-396. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3059.2009.02169.x]