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Title: MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF DIVERSE PHYTOPLASMAS OF SUBGROUPS 16SRI-A, 16SRI-B, 16SRI-L, AND 16SRI-M INFECTING ORNAMENTAL PLANTS IN LITHUANIA

Author
item SAMUITIENE, M - VILNIUS LITHUANIA
item NAVALINSKIENE, M - VILNIUS LITHUANIA
item Davis, Robert
item JOMANTIENE, R - VILNIUS LITHUANIA

Submitted to: European Plant Protection Organization Bulletin
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/27/2006
Publication Date: 10/27/2006
Citation: Samuitiene, M., Navalinskiene, M., Davis, R.E., Jomantiene, R. 2006. Molecular characterization of diverse phytoplasmas of subgroups 16Srl-A, 16SrlB, 16Srl-L, and 16Srl-M infecting ornamental plants in lithuania. European Plant Protection Organization Bulletin. 36:47-51.

Interpretive Summary: The ornamental plant industry is a significant segment in the economies of countries in Europe, North America, and Asia. We initiated a survey to gain base data on ornamental plant species in the Baltic region that are affected by diseases attributable to infection by phytoplasmas – small bacteria that lack a rigid cell wall. Seventeen plant species belonging to nine families exhibited disease symptoms including general yellowing and stunting, proliferation of shoots, phyllody, virescence and reduced size of flowers, and reddening of leaves. Gene analyses involving DNA fingerprinting revealed that the plants were infected by four distinct types of phytoplasmas. The results of this study expand knowledge of diseases in ornamental plants, and they provide base information to aid efforts to stem the spread of diseases in the Baltic region’s ornamental plant industry. The findings will be of interest to researchers, students of horticulture, plant quarantine agencies, and enterprises involved in the production of ornamental plants.

Technical Abstract: Trade in ornamental plant species comprises a significant segment in the economies of countries in Europe, North America, and Asia. Since the quality of ornamental plants is adversely affected by diseases attributed to phytoplasmas, we surveyed plant collections in botanical gardens and floriculture farms in Lithuania for phytoplasmal diseases. Seventeen ornamental species belonging to nine plant families exhibited disease symptoms including general yellowing and stunting, proliferation of shoots, phyllody, virescence and reduced size of flowers, and reddening of leaves. Analysis of phytoplasmal 16S rRNA gene sequence amplified in the polymerase chain reaction revealed that the plants were infected by phytoplasmas belonging to four distinct subgroups (16SrI-A, 16SrI-B, 16SrI-L, and 16SrI-M) of group 16SrI (aster yellows phytoplasma group) and indicated the presence of sequence heterogeneous 16S rRNA genes in newly recognized strains belonging to subgroups 16Sr-L and 16SrI-M. Infections by these diverse phytoplasmas in a wide array of plant species and families suggests that unidentified, polyphagous insect vectors may actively transmit phytoplasmas threatening the Baltic region’s ornamental plant industry.