1Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences-Production, Landscape, Agroenergy (DiSAA), University of Milan, Italy
2Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut (AUB), Beirut, Lebanon
3Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
4Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy
*Corresponding author e-mail: Fabio Quaglino (fabio.quaglino@unimi.it)
Online published on 25 July, 2019.
‘Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium’ (subgroup 16SrIX-B) strains associated with almond witches’ broom disease in Lebanon and Iran were typed by PCR-based amplification and sequence analyses of rplV-rpsC and secY genes. Results showed that Iranian and Lebanese AlmWB-associated phytoplasma strain populations constitute at least two distinct genetic lineages, supporting previous evidence obtained through 16S rDNA analysis. Such genetic diversity reflects differences in biological features (i.e. insect vectors and plant hosts) of ‘Ca. P. phoenicium’ in Lebanon and Iran. Molecular markers identified within rplVrpsC and secY genes should be employed to improve the knowledge about ‘Ca. P. phoenicium’ ecology and almond witches’ broom epidemiology in the Middle East.
16SrIX-B, ribosomal proteins, secY gene, peach, apricot
