Detection and molecular characterization of a phytoplasma affecting Prunus persica L. in Jujuy, Argentina

Peach (Prunus persica L.) plants with symptoms of yellowing, reddening, curling and leaf necrosis, premature defoliation and internode shortening were observed in production fields in Jujuy province (Argentina). A phytoplasma was detected by PCR using the universal primer pairs P1/P7 and R16F2n/R16R2 in all the symptomatic samples analysed. The RFLP profile of PCR products, amplified with R16F2n/R16R2 primers, shows that this phytoplasma, named Argentinean Peach Yellows (ArPY), belongs to subgroup 16Sr III-B. The phylogenetic analysis of the 1244 bp 16S rDNA cloned sequence, grouped the ArPY phytoplasma into the X-disease group with a closer relationship with CFSD, PssWB and ChTDIII phytoplasmas. This is the first report of a phytoplasma infecting peach trees in Argentina.     

Characterization of phytoplasmas detected in Chinaberry trees with symptoms of leaf yellowing and decline in Bolivia

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were used to detect phytoplasmas in foliage samples from Chinaberry ( Melia azedarach ) trees displaying symptoms of yellowing, little leaf and dieback in Bolivia. A ribosomal coding nuclear DNA (rDNA) product (1·8 kb) was amplified from one or more samples from seven of 17 affected trees by PCR employing phytoplasma-universal rRNA primer pair P1/P7. When P1/P7 products were reamplified using nested rRNA primer pair R16F2n/R16R2, phytoplasmas were detected in at least one sample from 13 of 17 trees with symptoms. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of P1/P7 products indicated that trees CbY1 and CbY17 harboured Mexican periwinkle virescence (16SrXIII)-group and X-disease (16SrIII)-group phytoplasmas, respectively. Identification of two different phytoplasma types was supported by reamplification of P1/P7 products by nested PCR employing X-disease-group-specific rRNA primer pair R16mF2/WXint or stolbur-group-related primer pair fSTOL/rSTOL. These assays selectively amplified rDNA products of 1656 and 579 bp from nine and five trees with symptoms, respectively, of which two trees were coinfected with both phytoplasma types. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences revealed Chinaberry yellows phytoplasma strain CbY17 to be most similar to the chayote witches'-broom (ChWBIII-Ch10) agent, a previously classified 16SrIII-J subgroup phytoplasma. Strain CbY1 resembled the Mexican periwinkle virescence phytoplasma, a 16SrXIII-group member. The latter strain varied from all known phytoplasmas composing group 16SrXIII. On this basis, strain CbY1 was assigned to a new subgroup, 16SrXIII-C.     

Detection and molecular characterization of phytoplasma associated with chickpea phyllody disease in south India

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) plants showing typical symptoms of infection by a phytoplasma that causes phyllody disease have been commonly observed in recent years in parts of south India. The symptoms included pale green leaves, bushy appearance due to excessive stunting of shoots, reduced internodal length and excessive axillary proliferation. The causal agent of the phyllody disease was identified based on symptoms, amplification of 16S rDNA of the phytoplasma by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from infected samples, as well as by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. First round PCR and nested-PCR protocols were standardized for improved efficiency and reliability of the diagnostic protocols. Using the primers P1/P7 and R16F2n/R16R2, 1,800?bp and 1,200?bp size products were amplified in first round PCR and nested-PCR protocols, respectively. The PCR product was cloned and sequenced and compared with the reference phytoplasma sequences from the database (NCBI). The Indian chickpea phyllody phytoplasma 16S rDNA sequences shared the highest nucleotide identity (>98%) with the 16S rII group phytoplasma candidates, also infecting chickpea from Australia and Pakistan. This is the first report of a phytoplasma of the 16SrII-group infecting chickpea from India. The genetic similarities and the potential threat of this new disease to chickpea cultivation in India are discussed.     

Molecular characterization of a new isolate of phytoplasma associated with malformation and twisting of floral spikes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gladiolus</Emphasis> in India

In 2007–2009, severe virescence, malformation and twisting of flower spikes and yellowing of entire plants were observed in various Gladiolus cultivars growing in the gardens of the National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India. The disease symptoms were very similar to symptoms in Gladiolus caused by the Aster yellows phytoplasma identified from Poland. Disease incidence was low (1.1–3.4%), but the severity of symptoms was high. A phytoplasma infection was detected in nine of 13 cultivars by PCR followed by nested PCR using universal phytoplasma primers P1/P6 or R16F2n/R16R2, respectively. An amplicon of ~1.2 kb obtained from the nested PCR was cloned and sequenced. Sequence analysis of the PCR amplicon revealed high (94–98%) identities and the closest phylogenic relationships with several isolates of Aster yellows phytoplasma of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ (16SrI group). Thus, the phytoplasma isolate of Gladiolus was identified as a new isolate of ‘Ca. P. asteris’ (16SrI group). In silico analysis of the phytoplasma isolate clearly indicated that the isolate was distinct from other Indian isolates of this phytoplasma.     

A disease associated with phytoplasma in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parthenium hysterophorus</Emphasis>

A disease on parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) was observed in June 2008 in Danzhou of Hainan Province. Infected weeds showed phytoplasma-like associated symptoms such as severe stunting, excessive proliferation of shoots, inflorescence-clustering, green petal, small leaves and witches’-broom. The original cause of phytoplasma was further confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR products of 1.8 kb were obtained using the universal primers pair (P1/P7) designed to amplify the entire 16S rDNA and the 16/23S intergenic spacer region in a direct PCR assay. The primers pair R16F2n/R2 was used to amplify a PCR product of 1.2 kb. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was used to analyze the partial 16S rDNA sequences (1.2 kb) of all phytoplasma DNA digested with five endonucleases (Kpn I, Hpa II, Taq I, Rsa I, EcoR I). The RFLP patterns of the strain were found to be identical with that of the reference peanut witches’-broom phytoplasma. Based on the RFLP data, it is suggested that the phytoplasma strain belongs to subgroup 16SrII-A. This is the first demonstration of a 16SrII-A group phytoplasma associated with parthenium weed.     

安徽桑黄花型萎缩病植原体16S rDNA序列分析及分子检测

 Mulberry yellow dwarf(MYD)disease is an quarantine disease and the causal agent is a phytoplasma.Two pairs of published universal primer, P1/P7 and Rm16F2/Rm16R1, based on the 16S-23S rDNA sequence of phytoplasma and total DNA extracted from infected mulberry tissues were employed for PCR and nested-PCR detection.The results revealed that a phytoplasma-specific 1 830 bp fragment with a G+C content of 46.01% was sequenced(GenBank accession No.GQ249410).The sequence shared 99.7% and 99.8% identity with aster yellows, the representatiive phytoplasma in 16SrI group, and mulberry dwarf phytoplasma classified into subgroup B in 16SrI group and named as the MYD phytoplasma strain Anhui(MYD-Anh).A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rDNA sequences was constructed and showed that MYD-Anh was clustered into 16SrI group.Identity of 16S rDNA sequence between MYD-Anh and mulberry yellow dwarf phytoplasma strain Zhenjiang(MD-zj) was nearly 100%, and they might belong to the same strain.Nested-PCR was used to detect the pathogenic phytoplasma from the differential tissues of mulberry infected with MYD-Anh.The results showed that a phytoplasma-specific 1.4 kb fragment was amplified with total DNA extracted from bark and vein.Nested-PCR was more sensitive than PCR for detecting MYD phytoplasma.     

喜树丛枝植原体的分子鉴定及TaqMan探针实时荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立

 为确定在云南文山地区喜树上发生的疑似丛枝病的病原种类及快速检测喜树丛枝病,本研究利用植原体16S rDNA基因通用引物P1/P7和R16F2n/R16R2对感病喜树总DNA进行常规PCR和巢式PCR扩增、克隆和测序,通过系统进化分析,明确了喜树丛枝植原体属于16SrXXXII组。然后根据喜树丛枝病植原体16S rDNA基因保守区域设计并合成特异性引物和TaqMan探针,制备了喜树丛枝病植原体标准质粒,确定了最优引物浓度和最佳探针浓度,制作的标准曲线有极好的线性关系,决定系数(R²)达到0.999,建立的实时荧光定量PCR检测方法能够特异性地检测喜树丛枝植原体。本研究首次明确了喜树丛枝植原体的分类地位,优化和建立了喜树丛枝植原体TaqMan探针qPCR检测方法,为快速检测喜树丛枝病植原体提供参考。     

Fasciation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crassula argentea</Emphasis>: molecular identification of phytoplasmas and associated antioxidative capacity

The present study reports on phytoplasma induced fasciation in Crassula argintea (Crassulaceae). DNA was extracted from symptomless and fasciated tissues and amplified by nested PCR using universal primers P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2 produced amplicons of 1.2 Kb. The nucleotide sequence analyses of the amplicons indicated that fasciated plants were infected by phytoplasma. Phylogenetic analysis placed the Crassula fasciation phytoplasmas in 16SrII-D group. Histochemical staining for reactive oxygen species indicated that phytoplasma infected (PI) tissues possess significantly higher levels of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) rather than superoxide (O₂ ^·-) as compared with symptomless tissues. PI tissues were also associated with a significant increase in antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and glutathione reductase) and electrolyte leakage as compared with symptomless tissues.     

Identification and molecular characterization of a phytoplasma associated with sunflower in Argentina

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants showing capitulum with virescence, phyllody and flower malformation, shortened internodes and abnormal branches were found in a field in Pedro Luro (Buenos Aires province, Argentina). Pleomorphic bodies resembling phytoplasmas were observed in sieve tube elements of symptomatic plants but not in healthy ones. DNA from all symptomatic sunflower plants analysed yielded, in direct PCR with phytoplasma universal primers P1/P7 and R16F2n/R2, fragments of expected size 1.8 kb and 1.2 kb, respectively. The phytoplasma associated with the disease, was named Sunflower Phyllody (SunPhy). Real and putative RFLP of the 16S rDNA showed the affiliation of SunPhy to 16SrIII (X-disease group), subgroup J. The 16S rDNA sequence from SunPhy showed the highest identity (99 %) with 16SrIII members and the phylogenetic tree confirmed a closer relationship to subgroup J of the 16SIII ribosomal group. This is the first report of a phytoplasma related to the 16SrIII group affecting sunflower.     

New natural host plants of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pini’ in Poland and the Czech Republic

The presence of phytoplasmas in seven coniferous plant species (Abies procera, Pinus banksiana, P. mugo, P. nigra, P. sylvestris, P. tabuliformis and Tsuga canadensis) was demonstrated using nested PCR with the primer pairs P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2. The phytoplasmas were detected in pine trees with witches’ broom symptoms growing in natural forest ecosystems and also in plants propagated from witches’ brooms. Identification of phytoplasmas was done using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (RFLP) of the 16S rDNA gene fragment with AluI, MseI and RsaI endonucleases. All samples showed RFLP patterns similar to the theoretical pattern of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pini’, based on the sequence of the reference isolate Pin127S. Nested PCR‐amplified products, obtained with primers R16F2n/R16R2, were sequenced. Comparison of the 16S rDNAs obtained revealed high (99·8–100%) nucleotide sequence identity between the phytoplasma isolates. The isolates were also closely related to four other phytoplasma isolates found in pine trees previously. Based on the results of RFLP and sequence analyses, the phytoplasma isolates tested were classified as members of the ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pini’, group 16SrXXI.     

Comparison of phytoplasmas infecting winter oilseed rape in the Czech Republic with Italian Brassica phytoplasmas and their relationship to the aster yellows group

Winter oilseed rape grown in several areas in South Bohemia showed symptoms of stunting, leaf reddening and extensive malformation of floral parts. Phytoplasmas were consistently observed by using electron microscopy only in phloem tissue of symptomatic plants. DNA isolated from infected and healthy control plants was used in PCR experiments. Primer pairs R16F2/R2, P1/P7 and rpF2/R2, amplifying, respectively, 16S rDNA, 16S rDNA plus spacer region and the beginning of the 23S and ribosomal protein gene L22 specific for phytoplasmas, were used. According to RFLP and sequence analyses of PCR products, the phytoplasma from rape was classified in the aster yellows phytoplasma group, subgroup 16SrI-B. The PCR products from the Czech phytoplasma-infected rape also had RFLP profiles identical to those of phytoplasma strains from Italian Brassica . This first molecular characterization of phytoplasmas infecting rape compared with strains from Brassica does not, however, clearly indicate differences among isolates of the same 16SrI-B subgroup. Further studies on other chromosomal DNA portions could help the research on host specificity or on geographical distribution of these phytoplasmas.     

Molecular identification of a Candidatus phytoplasma (Group16SrV-D) coding partial uvrB gene and degV gene on a new host – mesta (Hibiscus sabdariffa) – with phyllody and reddening of leaves in India

Mesta (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is an important bast fiber crop. In August 2011, there was an outbreak of a phytoplasma-like disease on H. sabdariffa in different villages of the northern coastal mesta-growing region of Andhra Pradesh, India, covering mainly two districts – Srikakulam and Vijayanagaram. The infected plants showed characteristic symptoms such as phyllody and reddening of leaves. PCR with P1/P7 universal primer pair of 16 S rDNA yielded amplicons of 1850 bp from all symptomatic mesta leaf samples similar to samples of brinjal little leaf (phytoplasma positive reference control). However, asymptomatic samples were not amplified. Multiplex nested-PCR showed simultaneous amplification of DNA fragments with phytoplasma specific primers, viz., P1/P7 universal primer pair of 16 S rDNA, nested primer pair R16F2n/R2, uvrB and DegV gene-specific uvrB-degVF/R primer generating amplicons of 1850 bp, 1200 bp and 1023bp, respectively. However, SecY-map gene specific primer SecY-mapF/R was not amplified. The 1023 bp nucleotide sequence of uvrB and DegV gene of the phytoplasma was deposited in the GenBank (NCBI) with the accession no. JX975061. NCBI BLASTn analysis of the 1023 bp products showed that the phytoplasma strain belonged to elm yellows group (16SrV-D). This is the first report that Hibiscus sabdariffa is infected by a phytoplasma and we named it mesta phyllody disease (MPD).     

广东枣疯病植原体的鉴定

Several jujube plants with witches′ broom, little leaf, and big bud symptoms, which were likely infected by jujube witches′ broom (JWB) phytoplasma, were collected in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. To identify the pathogen, PCR was performed using phytoplasma 16S rDNA universal primer pairs R16mF2/R1 and P1/P7 and SecA gene primer pair SecAfor1/rev3 with total DNA of the symptomatic plants as templates. Specific fragments, 1.4 kb, 1.8 kb, and 0.8 kb in length, were amplified from one of three symptomatic samples. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA verified that the pathogen harming jujube plants in Guangzhou was jujube witches′ broom phytoplasma which belonged to 16SrV-B subgroup. Comparison results also showed that the 16S rDNA sequence of Guangzhou JWB phytoplasma shared the highest nucleotide identity (100%) with the reported jujube witches′ broom phytoplasma Japanese strain (AB442218) and JWB strain (AY197661) and shared the nucleotide identity ranging from 99.74% to 99.80% with the other JWB phytoplasma strains. In addition, phylogenetic analysis based on SecA also showed that Guangzhou jujube witches′ broom phytoplasma belonged to 16SrV-B subgroup and shared 99.28%-99.76% similarity with other phytoplasma strains. All these results suggested that jujube witches′ broom phytoplasma has infected jujube plants in Guangdong Province.     

Phytoplasmas associated with disease of coconut in Malaysia: phylogenetic groups and host plant species

Coconut palm ( Cocos nucifera ), oil palm ( Elaeis guineensis ), Bermudagrass ( Cynodon dactylon ) and Madagascar periwinkle ( Catharanthus roseus ) with symptoms indicative of phytoplasma disease were collected from different locations in Malaysia. PCR assays employing phytoplasma universal rRNA gene primers P1/P7 alone or P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2 detected phytoplasmas in eight out of 20 Malayan Red Dwarf (MRD), nine out of 12 Malayan Yellow Dwarf (MYD) and 12 out of 12 Malayan Tall (MT) coconut palms displaying coconut yellow decline symptoms. Positive detections were also obtained from six out of six oil palm seedlings showing symptoms of yellowing and necrosis, from 10 out of 10 Bermudagrass samples with white leaf symptoms, and from eight out of eight periwinkle plants showing phyllody, virescence, little leaf, proliferation and foliar yellowing. Phytoplasmas were not detected in any of the symptomless plants tested. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of PCR products determined that phytoplasmas infecting both MRD and MT coconuts and Bermudagrass in Serdang, Selangor State, were all members of the 16SrXIV ' Candidatus Phytoplasma cynodontis' group, whereas isolates in periwinkle in Serdang were all members of the 16SrI ' Ca. Phytoplasma asteris' group. However, the phytoplasmas detected in MYD coconuts and oil palms from Banting, Selangor State, and in periwinkle from Putrajaya were collectively very similar (99%), but shared <97·5% similarity with 16S rDNA sequences of all other known phytoplasmas, indicating that they represent a novel taxonomic group. Thus, at least two phylogenetically distinct phytoplasmas are associated with the coconut yellow decline syndrome in Malaysia, both of which were also detected in other plant species.     

Natural occurrence, identification and transmission of the phytoplasma associated with flax phyllody and stem fasciation in Pakistan

Flax plants (Linum usitatissimum) of the white (album) flower variety exhibiting typical phytoplasma-like symptoms were found for the first time in Pakistan during 2011. The symptoms included floral virescence, phyllody, little leaf, stunting and stem fasciation. Light microscopy of hand-cut stem sections treated with Dienes’ stain showed blue areas in the phloem region of symptomatic plants. To confirm phytoplasma infection, total DNA was extracted separately from five plants showing virescence/phyllody and from five others showing fasciation, and was amplified by nested PCR using universal 16S rDNA phytoplasma primers P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2. All samples from plants with virescence/phyllody and fasciation yielded a 1,250 bp PCR product, and identical RFLP profiles using the enzymes AluI and HpaII. Direct sequencing of the 16S rDNA of one representative PCR amplicon (GenBank Accession No. JX567504 for phyllody and Accession No. JX567505 for fasciation) showed highest sequence identity (99%) with 16SrII ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia’ phytoplasmas, and phylogenetic analysis placed the phytoplasma in subgroup 16SrII-D. Disease was successfully transmitted by grafting and by the leafhopper Orosius albicinctus. To our knowledge, flax is a new natural host for 16SrII-D phytoplasmas in Pakistan.     

The first detection of ‘<Emphasis Type="Italic">Candidatus</Emphasis> Phytoplasma trifolii’ in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhododendron</Emphasis> hybridum

Four Rhododendron hybridum plants (from cvs Moravanka and Don Juan), all exhibited symptoms of shortened axillary shoots, reduced leaves with vein clearing and yellowing, undeveloped flowers, and general stunting in a rhododendron nursery garden in southern Bohemia in 2007. Electron microscopy examination of ultra-thin sections revealed the presence of numerous polymorphic phytoplasma-like bodies in the phloem tissue of leaf midribs and petioles. The phytoplasma etiology of this disease was further confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using universal phytoplasma primers. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of amplification products obtained with a R16F2/R16R2 primer pair from all symptomatic plants indicated the presence of phytoplasma from the 16SrVI-A subgroup. A detailed comparison of the amplified sequences and phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the phytoplasma belonged to the subgroup 16SrVI-A (clover proliferation phytoplasma group). This is the first report of the natural occurrence of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii’ in plants of Rhododendron hybridum.     

滇朴丛芽病植原体的分子鉴定

滇朴Celtis kunmingensis Cheng et Hong是云南的乡土树种,适宜全国大部分地区种植,极具观赏价值,是近年来最热门的绿化首选树种—绿化行道树,云南部分地区滇朴近年常表现丛芽的症状.本研究采用形态学与分子生物学结合的方法,对染病的幼嫩枝条进行扫描电镜(SEM)观察;利用16S rDNA植原体通用...     

小麦蓝矮植原体寄主范围的鉴定及RFLP分析

 小麦蓝矮是我国首次报道的小麦植原体病害。采用介体接种植物,症状观察和应用植原体16S rDNA基因通用引物对R16mF2/R16mR1进行PCR扩增,在接种小麦和传毒介体中均扩增出1.4kb的特异片段,鉴定出小麦蓝矮植原体新寄主7种。用巢式PCR方法对小麦蓝矮病田自然发病杂草进行分子检测,从表现症状的10种杂草中均扩增出1.2kb的特异片段。利用6种植原体特异性限制性内切酶对10种杂草的扩增片段进行RFLP(restriction fragment length polymor-phism)分析表明:扩增片段的RFLP图谱与目前已知的16Sr I组翠菊黄化植原体的RFLP图谱相近。鉴定出小麦蓝矮植原体田间自然新寄主10种。     

A phytoplasma closely related to the pigeon pea witches'-broom phytoplasma (16Sr IX) is associated with citrus huanglongbing symptoms in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

In February 2007, sweet orange trees with characteristic symptoms of huanglongbing (HLB) were encountered in a region of S?o Paulo state (SPs) hitherto free of HLB. These trees tested negative for the three liberibacter species associated with HLB. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product from symptomatic fruit columella DNA amplifications with universal primers fD1/rP1 was cloned and sequenced. The corresponding agent was found to have highest 16S rDNA sequence identity (99%) with the pigeon pea witches'-broom phytoplasma of group 16Sr IX. Sequences of PCR products obtained with phytoplasma 16S rDNA primer pairs fU5/rU3, fU5/P7 confirm these results. With two primers D7f2/D7r2 designed based on the 16S rDNA sequence of the cloned DNA fragment, positive amplifications were obtained from more than one hundred samples including symptomatic fruits and blotchy mottle leaves. Samples positive for phytoplasmas were negative for liberibacters, except for four samples, which were positive for both the phytoplasma and 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus'. The phytoplasma was detected by electron microscopy in the sieve tubes of midribs from symptomatic leaves. These results show that a phytoplasma of group IX is associated with citrus HLB symptoms in northern, central, and southern SPs. This phytoplasma has very probably been transmitted to citrus from an external source of inoculum, but the putative insect vector is not yet known.     

Kerala wilt disease phytoplasma: Phylogenetic analysis and identification of a vector, Proutista moesta

Kerala wilt disease of coconut palm is a major threat of coconut production in Kerala caused by phytoplasma. The genomic DNA purified from the insect tissues of Proutista moesta (PM) and Stephanitis typica (ST) was subjected to PCR assay using the primer combination P1/P6, P1/P7 and P4/P7. The amplified products resolved a prominent band of 650 bp for the universal primer P4/P7 and no bands were noticed for the primer pairs P1/P6 and P1/P7 combination. Since P4/P7 amplifies the 16S–23S intergenic spacer region of 16SrRNA gene, the PCR product 650 bp of the insect PM indicate the phytoplasma DNA. The presence of 650 bp for the primer P4/P7 in the genomic DNA isolated from P. moesta indicates the vectoral ability of the insect. No sign of amplification was noticed in the case of ST for the three sets of primers suggesting the inability of this insect as vector. The amplified product 650 bp from the genomic DNA of KWD palms as well as the insect tissues of P. moesta was gel purified and sequenced. The sequential similarity of 650 bp of both KWD phytoplasma and the insect phytoplasma supports the transmission of phytoplasma through the vector PM. Moreover, the sequence of 650 bp was compared with other sequences of 26 coconut phytoplasmas so far reported internationally and a cladogram was prepared for determining the phylogenetic status. It is obvious from the cladogram that the KWD disease phytoplasma is evolutionarily closest to coconut phytoplasma of coconut lethal yellowing of Mexican palms within the group 16SrIV. Phylogenetically, KWD phytoplasma is grouped in the new subgroup 16SrIV-C subsequent to the groups 16SrIV-A and 16SrIV-B for Mexican coconut lethal yellowing and Tanzanian coconut lethal decline, respectively. The restriction enzyme analysis of the PCR product 650 bp using the enzymes AluI, BclI, HindIII and RsaI further supports the phytoplasmic nature of DNA. This data records the first finding of the vector of Kerala wilt disease by detecting KWD phytoplasma in insect tissue of PM by PCR based methods. Moreover, the study reveals the phylogenetic status of KWD phytoplasma compared to other coconut phytoplasmas internationally.