The occurrence of two phytoplasmas associated with stunted Rubus species in the UK

Polymerase chain reaction using universal primers to sequences in the 16S rRNA gene, and group-specific primers to sequences in the 16S/23S spacer region, revealed two distinct phytoplasmas occurring in Rubus plants showing symptoms of rubus stunt. One phytoplasma appeared similar to phytoplasmas in the elm yellows group; the other appeared to fall into the X disease group. This finding was confirmed by RFLP analysis of PCR products. This is the first identification of phytoplasmas from either of these groups occurring in the UK, and the first report of a phytoplasma belonging to the X disease group in Rubus .