Phytopathogenic mollicutes

During April 2023, suspected symptoms of phytoplasma infection, such as little leaf, curling, and cupping were observed on L uffa acutangula and Momordica dioca plants, while stem flattening was observed in Lawsonia inermisplants in Jorhat district of Assam, India. To investigate the presence of phytoplasmas, leaf samples collected from both symptomatic and asymptomatic plants were subjected to DNA extraction and PCR assays. The presence of phytoplasmas was confirmed in symptomatic plants, while asymptomatic plants tested negative. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that the phytoplasma strains infecting these plants are ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii’ strains. Using in silico RFLP analysis, the phytoplasma strains were further identified as 16SrVI-D subgroup. This is the first report of ‘Ca. P. trifolii’ strains, subgroup 16SrVI-D in Luffa acutangula, Momordica dioca, and Lawsonia inermis worldwide.