3 research outputs found
Population genetic analysis reveals a low level of genetic diversity of \u2018Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia\u2019 causing witches\u2019 broom disease in lime.
Witches\u2019 broom disease of lime (WBDL) is a serious phytoplasma disease of acid lime in Oman, the UAE and Iran.
Despite efforts to study it, no systemic study attempted to characterize the relationship among the associated
phytoplasma, \u2018Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia\u2019, from the three countries. This study utilized sequences of the 16S
rRNA, imp and secA genes to characterize 57 strains collected from Oman (38), the UAE (9) and Iran (10). Phylogenetic
analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene showed that the 57 strains shared 98.5\u2013100 % nucleotide similarity to each
other and to strains of \u2018Ca. P. aurantifolia\u2019 available in GenBank. The level of genetic diversity was low based on the 16S
rRNA (0-0.011), imp (0\u20130.002) and secA genes (0\u20130.015). The presence of low level of diversity among phytoplasma
strains from Oman, the UAE and Iran can be explained by the movement of infected lime seedlings from one country
to another through trading and exchange of infected plants. The study discusses implication of the findings on WBDL
spread and management