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Molecular Identification of a ‘ Candidatus Phytoplasma ziziphi’‐related Strain Infecting Amaranth ( Amaranthus retroflexus L.) in China
Author(s) -
Yang Yi,
Zhao Wenjun,
Li Zhihong,
Zhu Shuifang
Publication year - 2011
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 - 10.1111/j.1439-0434.2011.01808.x
Subject(s) - phytoplasma , biology , 16s ribosomal rna , amaranth , weed , phylogenetic tree , botany , restriction fragment length polymorphism , genotype , genetics , gene , agronomy
Amaranth ( Amaranthus retroflexus L.) is a common weed that grows vigorously in orchards, roadside verges, fields, woods and scrubland in China. In 2009, phytoplasma disease surveys were made in orchards in Beijing, China, and stem/leaf tissues were collected from asymptomatic amaranths. Direct PCR using universal phytoplasma primers P1/P7 detected 16S rRNA gene sequences in every DNA sample extracted from the symptomless amaranths. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene determined that the amaranth phytoplasma strain was related to ‘ Candidatus Phytoplasma ziziphi’. Furthermore, virtual RFLP pattern analysis showed that the amaranth phytoplasma belonged to the 16SrV‐B subgroup. This is the first report of symptomless plants containing a ‘ Candidatus Phytoplasma ziziphi’‐related strain.