Detection and seed transmission of Bermudagrass phytoplasma in maize in Turkey

During 2017, maize cultivation areas in the provinces of Adana and Kahramanmaras (Turkey) were surveyed to inspect maize plants with symptoms similar to those associated with of phytoplasma disease, that is, yellowing, short internodes and small corncobs. Thirty fields were inspected and two hundred samples from symptomatic and asymptomatic plants were collected, together with insects considered as potential vectors of phytoplasmas. All samples were assayed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequently analysed by restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing to identify the phytoplasmas detected in the plant material and insects. Results of laboratory assays and phylogenetic analyses showed that the Bermudagrass white leaf phytoplasma ('Candidatus Phytoplasma cynodontis') was present in both maize plants and seeds, showing 99% sequence identity with other reported phytoplasma strains from GenBank, whereas no PCR amplifications were obtained from tested insects. The seeds of infected plants, sown in an insect-proof screenhouse, produced plantlets that were found PCR-positive for the Bermudagrass white leaf phytoplasma, indicating its seed transmission.