Molecular Characterization and Phylogeny of a Phytoplasma Associated with Phyllody Disease of toria (Brassica rapa L. subsp. dichotoma (Roxb.)) in India.

Samples from toria plants (Brassica rapa L. subsp. dichotoma (Roxb.)) exhibiting phyllody, virescence, witches broom, extensive malformation of floral parts, formation of bladder like siliquae and flower sterility were collected from four different locations in India. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA, a part of 23S rRNA, partial sec A genes, rp gene and 16S-23S intergenic spacer region indicated that the phytoplasmas associated with toria phyllody (TP) symptoms were identical and belonged to 16SrIX phytoplasma Pigeon pea witches'-broom (PPWB) group. The iPhyClassifier generated virtual RFLP pattern of 1.25 kb 16S rDNA sequences indicated that TP phytoplasma belongs to 16SrIX-C phytoplasma subgroup. Complete 23S rRNA gene of TP phytoplasma had 2,787 nucleotides and is the first sequence of 16SrIX phytoplasma group. Restriction digestion of 16S rDNA and 23S rDNA PCR products has also shown that TP phytoplasmas from all the four locations in India were identical. Toria is a previously unreported host for a phytoplasma in16SrIX-C subgroup.