High 16S rDNA sequence homology between phytoplasmas from peach and apple trees affected by apple proliferation

摘要

A high homology (>99.8%) was found between the sequence of a 865 bp DNA fragment of the 16S rRNA gene of peach phytoplasmas and that of phytoplasmas recovered from apple trees affected by apple proliferation (AP). PCR strategies to amplify the phytoplasma DNA, cloning and sequencing procedures are described. It is suggested that the same PCR-based assay can detect peach reddening- and AP-phytoplasmas.