Identification and Biological Features of Sesame Phyllody-Associated Phytoplasmas in Western Iran

Sesame is an oilseed crop threatened by a phyllody disease associated with the presence of phytoplasmas, which can reduce yields by up to 80%. The molecular identification of these bacteria in crops located in Western Iran was achieved from samples showing symptoms of diverse intensity and types. For biological characterization, the pathogen was also dodder-transmitted to periwinkle plants. After nucleic acid extraction and nested PCR using phytoplasma-specific primer pairs amplifying part of the 16S rRNA gene, it was possible to amplify DNA fragments from both symptomatic sesame samples and dodder-inoculated periwinkle plants. The virtual RFLP pattern from the 16S rRNA gene sequences using <i>i</i>PhyClassifier indicated the presence of phytoplasma strains in 16SrII-D and 16SrIX-C subgroups. The identity percentage values of the obtained amplified sequences corroborated by the phylogenetic analysis identified them as '<i>Candidatus</i> Phytoplasma australasiaticum' and '<i>Ca</i>. P. phoenicium', respectively. The two phytoplasma strains were detected in different sesame samples collected in the same field. The coexistence of two phytoplasmas may influence the observed differences in disease severity and suggests appropriate management strategies, since diverse insect vectors were reported alongside diverse phytoplasmas associated with this disease. Moreover, the widespread disease presence strongly suggests the breeding of resistant varieties.