Molecular identification of phytoplasmas infecting myrtle plantations in Sardinia (Italy).
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Abstract
Myrtus communis is a bushy species of the Mediterranean area that produce very popular liquor: Red mirto and White mirto.
Preliminary studies in North Sardinia, resulted in the observation of a severe symptomatology associated with phytoplasma
presence. These studies continued, and recently a total of 33 symptomatic plants belonging to different cultivars in two plantations
were mapped and repeatedly tested using molecular methods. Phytoplasmas belonging to the 16SrI, 16SrII-F, 16SrIII, 16SrV-A,
16SrX-A, and 16SrXII-A subgroups were identified. Molecular assays on potential insect vectors showed that 16SrX-A+16SrI-B,
16SrXII-A and 16SrIII subgroups were present