Partial Characterization of <i>Spiroplasma citri</i> Isolates Associated with Necrotic Yellows Disease of Safflower in Iran

Abstract

Abstract Spiroplasma citri was associated with a disease of safflower characterized by stunting, yellowing, phloem discoloration and local or general necrosis in the Fars province of Iran. It was identified by ELISA using a locally produced polyclonal antiserum, by PCR with specific primers and isolation in culture medium. The 16S rDNA restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns of safflower isolates were identical with those of the other S. citri isolates. A known isolate of S. citri from periwinkle induced stunting, yellowing, phloem discoloration and wilting in safflower seedlings when transmitted by dodder under greenhouse conditions. A primer pair designed on the basis of S. citri plasmid was more sensitive than those based on spiralin gene or 16S rDNA for the detection of S. citri . Based on the sequence of the spiralin gene, S. citri isolates from safflower as well as other Iranian isolates were variable and grouped into two genetic clusters with 91.9–92.9% identity between groups. This is the first report of association of S. citri with a safflower disease.