Molecular detection and identification of 16SrII group and aster yellows phytoplasmas associated with longan witches’ broom syndrome in Vietnam

Longan witches’ broom syndrome is one of the most devastating epidemic in the majority of longan-growing areas of Vietnam. Main symptoms are small and roll upwards leaves, shortened internodes, and witches’ broom. Diverse etiology is reported for this syndrome enclosing viruses and eriophyoid mites. In this work, using a DNA approach based on 16S rDNA gene, phytoplasmas belonging to 16SrII and 16SrI groups were associated with longan witches’ broom syndrome, corroborating previous findings in Vietnam and in other longan-growing countries of other phytoplasmas associated with the same syndrome.