PCR assay for specific detection of European stone fruit yellows phytoplasmas and its use for epidemiological studies in France

DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction was used to specifically detect phytoplasmas associated with severe decline diseases of European stone fruits. PCR primers were designed according to the partial sequence of a nonribosomal genomic fragment of European stone fruit yellows phytoplasmas obtained by direct sequencing of a specific PCR product. A PCR assay was developed which resulted in specific amplification of a 237 bp-DNA fragment from total DNA extracts derived from over 300 stone fruit samples. No PCR product was obtained with DNA from healthy controls or plants diseased with various other phytoplasmas, e.g. the closely related apple proliferation and pear decline phytoplasmas. Phytoplasma infection was checked in all samples by PCR amplification with universal ribosomal primers. Detection rate with specific and universal primers was correlated by 97%. European stone fruit yellows phytoplasmas were detected in samples of 114 out of 139 examined orchards which represent the major stone fruit growing regions of France. Typical symptoms like chlorotic leaf roll in summer and off-season growth in winter were correlated by 95% to the presence of phytoplasmas. However, phytoplasmas were also detected in 51% of samples derived from trees showing non-specific symptoms. A comparison study including 201 samples showed that 81% of the PCR-positive samples were also tested positive using fluorescence microscopy with DAPI staining.