1Institute for Medicinal Plant Research “Dr. J. Pancic”, Belgrade, Serbia
2Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, T. Drajzera 9, Belgrade, Serbia
3Institute of Soil Science, Genetic laboratory, T. Drajzera 7, Belgrade, Serbia
Corresponding author e-mail: *josicdragana@yahoo.com
During a survey carried out from 2005 to 2010, reddening, stunting and proliferation of axillary shoots or witches’ broom symptoms were observed on Echinacea purpurea in Pancevo and Indjija, Serbia. The association of phytoplasma with these symptoms has been detected by electron microscopic observations and PCR followed by nested PCR using phytoplasma 16S rRNA gene specific primers. Further, 16SrXII-A group (stolbur) phytoplasmas were identified by RFLP analysis using TruI, KpnI and AluI restriction endonucleases.
16SrXII-A phytoplasma subgroup, Echinacea purpurea, nested PCR, RFLP
