Molecular diversity of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’ species in pome and stone fruits in Turkey

Apple, pear and apricot trees showing phytoplasma associated symptoms from Ankara and Isparta provinces were sampled and investigated to verify the presence of phytoplasma-associated diseases. Totally 31 samples were tested with phytoplasma universal and group specific primers and the PCR products were restricted using Tru1I, RsaI and SspI endonucleases. Different RFLP profiles were obtained and selected samples were directly sequenced. The apple samples were found infected with 16SrX-A (‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’), while the majority of the pear samples were infected with 16SrX-A and 16SrX-C subgroup phytoplasmas in mixed infection. The 16SrX-B (‘Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum’), 16SrX-C (‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri’) and mixed infection of 16SrX-A/16SrX-C and 16SrX-C/16SrI (aster yellows) were detected in the apricot samples. In this study the 16SrI phytoplasmas in apricot and the mixed phytoplasma infections in pear and apricot trees were detected in Turkey for the first time.