Detection of Phytoplasma Associated with Periwinkle Virescence in Egypt

摘要

Little leaves, shortened intemodes, virescence and witches' broom symptoms were observed affecting periwinkle plants growing in Kafr-el-sheikh govemorate. These plants were examined for phytoplasma infections by electron microscopy. Phytoplasma appearing as spherical to ovoid structures of variable sizes were observed in phloem sieve tubes in diseased plants samples but not in symptomless plants samples by TEM. PCR-amplified phytoplasma of 16S rDNA using primers P1/P7 and PF2/PR2 was employed for thedetection and identification of the phytoplasma associated with periwinkle plant. The Egyptian Phytoplasma Virescence (EPV) detected m diseased periwinkle (GenBank accession No. EF546439) was identified as members of aster yellow phytoplasma group (16SrI group) (Candidatus phytoplasma asteris). This is the first report on the occurrence of phytoplasma diseases in Egypt.