Detection and identification of phytoplasmas in two vineyards located in a restricted geographic area in Italy

A survey to verify the presence of grapevine yellows was carried out in a restricted area of the Marche region (central east Italy) in a small geographic area. In two locations six grapevine varieties were examined and phytoplasmas belonging to four ribosomal groups were detected by PCR/RFLP analyses. The surveyed varieties were Passerina, Pecorino, Merlot, Sangiovese, Fedit and Montepulciano. The different phytoplasmas detected were present in a scattered manner in all the varieties, but only Passerina, Pecorino and Sangiovese where shown to be infected by “bois noir” (16SrXII-A) phytoplasmas. Considering the landscape shape and the age of the vineyards the source of BN infection and of the other phytoplasmas is very likely in the surrounding environment or vineyards.