First report of Grapevine bois noir phytoplasma in Lebanon
In Lebanon, a survey was done in 2001 on the incidence of phytoplasma diseases. Samples were collected from plants with symptoms resembling those of phytoplasma infections, as well as from symptomless plants. Samples from Lycopersicon esculentum, Capsicum annuum, Vitis vinifera, Catharanthus roseus and Lactuca serratia were taken in the Bekaa Valley. Molecular assays (PCR, RFLP, sequencing) were used to detect and identify phytoplasmas. In grapevine, stolbur phytoplasma (causing bois noir) was identified. This is the first report of grapevine bois noir in Lebanon. In tomato and capsicum, restriction profiles and sequences studied were identical. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis indicated the presence of a phytoplasma, distinct from stolbur, belonging to the clover proliferation cluster. Finally, a phytoplasma belonging to the pigeon pea witches’ broom cluster was found in Lactuca serratia. The authors recalled that the recently found almond witches’ broom phytoplasma (EPPO Alert List), associated with a lethal disease of almond, also belongs to this cluster.
Sources
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Choueiri, E.; Jreijiri, F.; El Zammar, S.; Verdin, E.; Salar, P.; Danet, J.L.; Bové, J.; Garnier, M. (2002) First report of grapevine ‘Bois Noir’ disease and a new phytoplasma infecting solanaceous plants in Lebanon.
Plant Disease, 86(6), p 697.
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