A multilocus sequence typing strategy to further characterise the Buckland Valley grapevine yellows phytoplasma

The Buckland Valley grapevine yellows (BVGY) phytoplasma has only been reported from grapevine yellows affected grapevines in two vineyards of an isolated area of the Buckland Valley alpine region in Victoria, Australia. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene indicated that it was a molecularly distinct phytoplasma most closely related to phytoplasmas in the 16SrI group. It has subsequently been allocated as the type member of the 16SrXXIII group. Analysis of the intergenic spacer region showed that the BVGY phytoplasma was even less closely related to other phytoplasmas. In this study the sequence of the 16S rRNA gene and 16S/23S intergenic spacer (ITS) region was confirmed. An analysis of other gene regions has been undertaken to further determine the relationship between the BVGY phytoplasma and other phytoplasmas