1Ghadfan Agriculture Research Station, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water resources (MAFWR), Oman
2Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
*Corresponding author e-mail: Mohammed Al-Sadrani (majeesspearhead@gmail.com)
Online published on 5 March, 2025.
This study investigates the presence of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia’ in grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) affected by witches’ broom disease in the Al Sharqia Governorate of Oman during 2023. The infected tree shows symptoms typical of phytoplasma infection, including leaf and stem proliferation, clustering, stunted growth, and yellowing. DNA extracted from symptomatic samples was analyzed using PCR targeting the SAP11 and tuf genes, alongside universal phytoplasma markers targeting the 16S, intergenic 16S-23S, and a small part of the 23S rDNA region. The BLAST analysis of the tuf, SAP11, and 16S rRNA genes sequences and phylogenic tree of 16S rRNA genes revealed 100% identity with strains of ‘Ca. IP aurantifolia’ from Oman. This represents the first report of this phytoplasma affecting grapefruit in Oman, expanding the pathogen’s know host range.
Citrus, SAP11, WBDL, Grapefruit, Phytoplasmas
