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Occurrence of European Stone Fruit Yellows Phytoplasma (ESFYP) Infection in Peach Orchards in Northern‐Central Italy
Author(s) -
Pollini C. Poggi,
Bissani R.,
Giunchedi L.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of phytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.53
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1439-0434
pISSN - 0931-1785
DOI - 10.1046/j.1439-0434.2001.00704.x
Subject(s) - phytoplasma , biology , polymerase chain reaction , cultivar , ribosomal rna , botany , horticulture , northern italy , primer (cosmetics) , 16s ribosomal rna , restriction fragment length polymorphism , european union , bacteria , gene , genetics , business , economic policy , chemistry , organic chemistry
During field surveys in 1999 and 2000 of peach orchards in Northern‐Central Italy, plants of different cultivars were observed with symptoms of early leaf reddening, abnormal thickening of midribs and primary veins, autumnal growth of latent buds which produce tiny chlorotic leaves and sometimes flowers, and early phylloptosis; such symptoms, rarely seen previously on peach, are associated with European stone fruit yellows phytoplasma (ESFYP). In the orchards inspected, 1–4% of trees were affected and most were grafted on cv. G.F. 677. In most of the symptomatic samples (130 of 157 tested), only ESFYP was detected using different diagnostic methods [4′,6′‐diamidino‐2‐phenilindole, 2HCl (DAPI), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with ribosomal and non‐ribosomal primer pairs, PCR‐enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, nested‐PCR]. The immunoenzymatic detection of PCR products with a pathogen‐specific probe ensured fast, sensitive and specific detection of ESFYP. This is the first survey to assess the occurrence of phytoplasmas in peach orchards in Northern‐Central Italy.