ANALYSIS OF MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF PHYTOPLASMA ASSOCIATED DISEASES AND THEIR WEEDS BY USING NESTED PCR ASSAY

Abstract

Phytoplasma concomitant diseases acknowledged for a long time induce economic damage to a variety of cultivated, wild and various ornamental plants as well, dropping its quantum and quality gaining international importance for unspecific symptoms. In this study, the strains of phytoplasma i.e. 16SrXIV group were found an association with Cannabis diminutive leaf and witches'-broom disease. Further, actual and virtual RFLP analysis of the 16SrRNA gene of Cannabis phytoplasma segregates inveterate that it belonged to the 16SrXIV-A subgroup. BLAST examination of the sequence data of Parthenium was compared with sequences available in GenBank, which showed a maximum of 97% identity with 16SrRNA gene of members of the 1SrI ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ (Ca. P. asteris) group. The utmost abundant phytoplasma species are Ca. P. cynodontis followed by Ca. P. asteris on weeds from India. Association of 16SrI, XI, XIV groups on weeds found positive in PCR/Nested PCR assays. An elevated genetic variability was observed with collected weeds. Collected maize plants were also found with the infection of 16SrIB subgroup phytoplasma.