Phytopathogenic Mollicutes
SCOPUS
  • Year: 2023
  • Volume: 13
  • Issue: 1

Molecular characterization of a phytoplasma associated with sesame phyllody diseases and identification of its insect vector in Kerman province of Iran

1Plant Protection Department, Kerman Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Centre, AREEO, Kerman, Iran

2Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Damghan Branch, Damghan, Iran

*Corresponding author e-mail: Mehdi Azadvar (mehdiazadvar@gmail.com)

Online published on 23 May, 2023.

Abstract

Phyllody is one of the most important sesame diseases in the Kerman province of Iran with 5 to 100% incidence. Molecular detection and multilocus sequence characterization of the associated phytoplasma was conducted on 16S rRNA, rp, secY and secA genes sequences. BLAST searches, phylogenetic and iPhyclassifier analyses revealed that the phytoplasma associated with sesame phyllody in the region belongs to subgroup 16SrII-D. Biological and molecular experiments showed that the leaf hoppers Orosius albicinctus and Circulifer haematoceps could transmit this sesame phyllody phytoplasma to sesame seedlings.

Keywords

Oilseed crop, MLSA, Orosius albicinctus, Circulifer haematoceps