Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Detection and molecular characterization of an aster yellows phytoplasma in rhodiola in Alberta, Canada

Nachweis und molekulare Charakterisierung eines Asternvergilbungs-Phytoplasmas aus der Rosenwurz in Alberta, Kanada

  • Published:
Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Rhodiola plants exhibiting symptoms typical of phytoplasma infection were observed at an experimental farm near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, in 2007. Phytoplasma infection was confirmed with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-assay using 16S ribosomal RNA primers developed specifically for phytoplasmas; the primers could amplify a band from tissue samples derived from infected, but not from asymptomatic, plants. Comparison between the sequence of the PCR product and the 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences of other phytoplasmas available in GenBank indicated that the phytoplasma identified in rhodiola is a member of the subgroup 16SrI-B (aster yellows subgroup B).

Zusammenfassung

Als Heilkräuter angebaute Rosenwurz-Pflanzen mit typischen Symptomen einer Phytoplasma-Infektion wurden im Jahr 2007 auf einem Versuchsgut bei Edmonton in der kanadischen Provinz Alberta beobachtet. Phytoplasmen konnten daraufhin mit Hilfe der Polymerase-Kettenreaktion (PCR) mit Phytoplasmenspezifischen 16S-rRNA-Primern nachgewiesen werden. Die Primer vervielfältigten eine RNA-Bande aus infiziertem Pflanzengewebe, nicht jedoch aus symptomlosen Pflanzen. Ein Sequenzvergleich des PCR-Produkts mit anderen bei GenBank hinterlegten 16S-rRNA-Sequenzen von Phytoplasmen deutet darauf hin, dass das Rosenwurz-Phytoplasma zur Untergruppe 16SrI-B (Asternvergilbungs-Phytoplasma Untergruppe B) gehört.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahrens, U., E. Seemüller, 1992: Detection of DNA of plant pathogenic mycoplasmalike organisms by a polymerase chain reaction that amplifies a sequence of the 16S rRNA gene. Phytopathology 82, 828–832.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Angelini, E., G. Luca Bianchi, L. Filippin, C. Morassutti, M. Borgo, 2007: A new TaqMan method for the identification of phytoplasmas associated with grapevine yellows by real-time PCR assay. J. Microbiol. Methods 68, 613–622.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, R. P., P. L. Gerbarg, Z. Ramazanov, 2002: Rhodiola rosea. A phytomedicinal overview. HerbalGram 56, 40–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chang, K.F., S.F. Hwang, R.J. Howard, 1996: First report of a yellows disease of German statice (Goniolimon tataricum) in Canada caused by a phytoplasma. Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 76, 15–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chang, K.F., S.F. Hwang, A.H. Khadhair, L.M. Kawchuk, R.J. Howard, S.F. Blade, 2004: Detection and molecular characterization of an aster yellows phytoplasma in poker statice and Queen Anne’s lace in Alberta. J. Plant Dis. Protect. 111, 218–224.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, T.A., J.D. Lei, C.P. Lin, 1992: Detection and identification of plant and insect mollicutes. In: R.F. WHITCOMB, J.G. TULLY (eds.): The Mycoplasmas, Vol. 5, 393–424. Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Christensen, N.M., M. Nicolaisen, M. Hansen, A. Schulz, 2004: Distribution of phytoplasmas in infected plants as revealed by real-time PCR and bioimaging. Mol. Plant Microbe Interact. 17, 1175–1184.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Felsenstein, J., 1985: Confidence limits on phylogenies: An approach using the bootstrap. Evolution 39, 783–791.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gundersen, D.E., I.M. Lee, 1996: Ultrasensitive detection of phytoplasmas by nested-PCR assays using two universal primer pairs. Phytopathol. Mediterr. 35, 144–151.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hwang, S.F., K.F. Chang, R.J. Howard, S. Blade. 1997a: Yellows diseases of calendula (Calendula officinalis) and valerian (Valariana officinalis) in Alberta, Canada associated with phytoplasma infection. J. Plant Dis. Protect. 104, 452–458.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hwang, S.F., K.F. Chang, R.J. Howard, R. Gaudiel, A.H. Khadhair, C. Hiruki, 1997b: First report of a yellows phytoplasma disease in purple coneflower (Echinacea spp.) in Canada. J. Plant Dis. Protect. 104, 182–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, G.S., 2001: Rhodiola rosea: A possible plant adaptogen. Alt. Med. Rev. 6, 293–302.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khadhair, A.H., I.R. Evans, 2000: Molecular and microscopical detection of aster yellows phytoplasma associated with infected parsnip. Microbiol. Res. 155, 1–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khadhair, A.H., C. Hiruki, S.F. Hwang, 1997a: Molecular detection of alfalfa witches’ broom phytoplasma in four leafhopper species associated with infected alfalfa plants. Microbiol. Res. 152, 269–275.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khadhair, A.H., C. Hiruki, S.F. Hwang, 1997b: Molecular identification of four potato witches’ broom isolates on four potato cultivars. Microbiol. Res. 152, 281–286.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Khadhair, A.H., L.M. Kawchuk, R.C. Taillon, G. Botar, 1998: Detection and molecular characterization of an aster yellows phytoplasma in parsley. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 20, 55–61.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khadhair, A.H., J.P. Tewari, R.J. Howard, V.H. Paul, 2001: Detection of aster yellows phytoplasma in false flax based on PCR and RFLP. Microbiol. Res. 156, 179–184.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ko, H.C., C.P. Lin, 1994: Development and application of cloned DNA probes for a phytoplasmalike organism associated with sweet potato witches’ broom. Phytopathology 84, 468–473.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, I.M., D.E. Gundersen-Rindal, A. Bertaccini, 1998a: Phytoplasma: ecology and genomic diversity. Phytopathology 88, 1359–1366.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, I.M., D.E. Gundersen-Rindal, R.E. Davis, I.M Bartoszyk, 1998b: Revised classification scheme of phytoplasmas based on RFLP analyses of 16S rRNA and ribosomal protein gene sequences. Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 48, 1153–1169.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, I.M., D.E. Gundersen-Rindal, R.E. Davis, K.D. Bottner, C. Marcone, E. Seemüller, 2004: ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’, a novel phytoplasma taxon associated with aster yellows and related diseases. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 54, 1037–1048.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, I.M., D.E. Gundersen-Rindal, R.W. Hammond, R.E. Davis, 1994: Use of mycoplasmalike organism (MLO) group-specific oligonucleotide primers from nested-PCR assays to detect mixed-MLO infections in a single host plant. Phytopathology 84, 559–566.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, I.M., R.W. Hammond, R.E. Davis, D.E. Gundersen-Rindal, 1993: Universal ampilification and analysis of pathogen 16S rDNA for classification and identification of mycoplasma-like organisms. Phytopathology 83, 834–842.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, I.M., R.E. Davis, D.E. Gundersen-Rindal, 2000: Phytoplasma: Phytopathogenic mollicutes. Annu. Rev. Microbiol. 54, 221–255.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marcone, C., L.M. Kawchuk, I.M. Lee, R.E. Davis, A. Ragozzino, E. Seemüller, 2000: Classification of aster yellows-group phytoplasmas based on combined analyses of rRNA and tuf gene sequences. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 50, 1703–1713.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Namba, S., S. Kato, S. Iwanami, H. Oyaizu, H. Shiozawa, T. Tsuchizaki, 1993: Detection and differentiation of plant-pathogenic mycoplasmalike organisms using polymerase chain reaction. Phytopathology 83, 786–791.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Osman, F., A. Rowhani, 2006: Application of a spotting sample preparation technique for the detection of pathogens in woody plants by RT-PCR and real-time PCR (TaqMan). J. Virol. Methods 133, 130–136.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Page, R.D.M., 1996: TREEVIEW: An application to display phylogenetic trees on personal computers. Comput. Appl. Biosci. 12, 357–358.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Prince, J.P., R.E. Davis, T.K. Wolf, I.M. Lee, B.D. Mogen, E.L. Dally, A. Bertaccini, R. Credi, M. Barba, 1993: Molecular detection of diverse mycoplasma-like organisms (MLOs) associated with grapevine yellows and their classification with aster yellows, X-disease, and elm yellows MLOs. Phytopathology 83, 1130–1137.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, B., E. Torres, M.P. Martín, M. Schröder, H.D. Behnke, E. Seemüller, 2005: ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pini’, a novel taxon from Pinus silvestris and Pinus halepensis. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 55, 303–307.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smart, C.D., B. Schneider, L. Blomquist, J. Guerra, N.A. Har-Rison, U. Ahrens, K.H. Lorenz, E. Seemüller, B.C. Kirkpatrick, 1996: Phytoplasma-specific PCR primers based on sequences of the 16S–23S rRNA spacer region. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 62, 2988–2933.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Spurr, A.R., 1969: A low viscosity epoxy resin embedding medium for electron microscopy. J. Ultrastructural Res. 26, 31–43.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, K., C. Hiruki, 2001: Use of heteroduplex mobility assay for identification and differentiation of phytoplasmas in the aster yellows group and the clover proliferation group. Phytopathology 91, 546–552.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, K., C. Hiruki, 2004: Clover proliferation phytoplasma: ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii’. Int. J. Sy st. Evol. Microbiol. 54, 1349–1353.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wei, W., R.E. Davis, I.M. Lee, Y. Zhao, 2007: Computer-simulated RFLP analysis of 16S rRNA genes: identification of ten new phytoplasma groups. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 57, 1855–1867.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, B.W., Y.M. Sun, X. Yun, S. Han, M.L. Piao, Y. Murata, M. Tada, 2003: Reduction of noise-stress-induced physiological damage by radices of Astragali and Rhodiolae: Glycogen, lactic acid and cholesterol contents in liver of the rat. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 67, 1930–1936.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Crop Diversification Centre North, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    S.-F. Hwang, J. Feng, K. Ampong-Nyarko & G. D. Turnbull

  2. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    R. Hwang & S. E. Strelkov

  3. Crop Diversification Centre South, Brooks, Alberta, Canada

    R. J. Howard

Authors
  1. S.-F. Hwang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Feng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. R. Hwang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. E. Strelkov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. K. Ampong-Nyarko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. G. D. Turnbull
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. R. J. Howard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S.-F. Hwang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hwang, SF., Feng, J., Hwang, R. et al. Detection and molecular characterization of an aster yellows phytoplasma in rhodiola in Alberta, Canada. J Plant Dis Prot 116, 145–148 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03356302

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03356302

Key words

Stichwörter

Search

Navigation