An update status of recently emerging ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma omanense’ strains in Iran

So far, phytoplasmas enclosed in 16SrI, 16SrII, 16SrIII, 16SrVI, 16SrVII, 16SrIX, 16SrX, 16SrXI, 16SrXII, 16SrXIV, 16SrXXIX and 16SrXXX ribosomal groups were identified in Iran. Among the identified phytoplasma strains, due to the distribution and severity of the damage, new emerging phytoplasma strains in 16SrXXIX group are a new and very important threat to agricultural products. These identified ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma omanense’ strains reported from Iran were associated with diseases such as: Prunus persica and P. domestica yellowing and decline (Mehriz, Yazd province); Sophora alopecuroides dwarfing and yellowing (Damaneh and Fereydun Shahr, Isfahan province); Diospyros kaki yellowing, reddening, die-back, and decline (Mehriz, Yazd province) all in 16SrXXIX-A subgroup; Convolvulus arvensis witches’ broom and dwarfing (Bafgh, Yazd province) in 16SrXXIX-B subgroup and 16SrXXIX (subgroup not determined) Cressa cretica witches’ broom (Ardakan, Yazd province).