Detection of Phytoplasmas Associated with Clover Proliferation (16SRVI-A) and Pigeon Pea Witches’ Broom (16SRIX-C) Group in Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) Plants in Recreation Areas in Hatay Province of Türkiye

Öz

Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), also known as the Madagascar flower, is an important ornamental plant used in recreational areas as well as being a medicinal plant. In this study, conducted between 2021 and 2022 in Hatay province of Türkiye, shoot samples were collected from 25 plants exhibiting phyllody, virescence, yellowing, little leaf, dwarfing and witches' broom symptoms related to phytoplasmas in recreation areas. Leaf and stem samples from suspected periwinkle plants were tested by biological indexing and molecular methods. Total nucleic acid in symptomatic plants was isolated by CTAB method. All symptomatic plants were tested by direct and nested PCR (nPCR) using universal primer pairs (R16F1/R0 and R16F2n/R2). Phytoplasma infections were detected in all symptomatic plants collected. Four selected samples from Arsuz (2 samples) and Antakya (2 samples) districts of Hatay, representing the geographical variations, were sequenced. One from each district belonging to different groups deposited to the GenBank (Accession No: PP763874 and PP763741). Sequenced samples were verified by BLAST, iPhyClassifier (virtual RFLP) and phylogenetic analysis. Two subgroup phytoplasmas belonging to 16Sr group VI and IX were detected by sequencing and virtual RFLP. While Clover Proliferation Group, subgroup 16SrVI-A, was detected in selected 2 samples taken from Antakya, phytoplasma associated with Pigeon Pea Witches’ Broom, subgroup 16SrIX-C, was detected in 2 samples taken from Arsuz. This is the first report of natural infection of periwinkle infecting by phytoplasma belonging to subgroup 16SrIX-C in Türkiye.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• BLAST
• iPhyClassifier (virtual RFLP)
• Natural infection
• Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus)
• PCR

Kaynakça

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