Phytoplasmas infecting fruit trees in Serbia

During 2003–2005 extensive surveys were carried out in diverse location in Serbia to verify phytoplasma presence in fruit trees species affected by decline, reddening, yellowing or witches’ broom symptoms. Tests were carried out using PCR/RFLP analyses to detect phytoplasma presence and to determine their identity. European stone fruit yellows phytoplasmas (16SrX-B) were identified in apricot plants showing typical chlorotic leaf roll symptoms and in samples collected from peach plants showing general decline together with yellowing and reddening of leaves. In other samples from peaches with similar symptoms, stolbur (16SrXII-A) phytoplasmas were detected. Two different symptoms were associated with diverse phytoplasmas in pear: pear decline (16SrX-C) phytoplasmas were identified in samples from plants showing typical decline symptoms, while X-disease (16SrIII-B) phytoplasmas were identified in a pear plant showing witches’ broom and reduced growth. Samples from apple showing symptoms of proliferation, witches’ broom and reduced fruit size, resulted to be infected by apple proliferation (16SrX-A) phytoplasmas.