Identification of phytoplasma infecting Lilium martagon in the Czech republic

Lilium martagon (Turk's-cap lily) found in West Bohemia showed unusual malf ormation in the shape of a very flattened stem. Scanning electron microscop y (SEM) and fluorescence microscopy (DAPI staining) revealed phytoplasma bo dies in sieve tube elements of the diseased plant, but not in healthy ones. The diameter of the bodies ranged from 100 to 900 nm, with an average of 4 00 nm. Phytoplasma 16S rDNA detection by nested PCR resulted in 1.1 kbp pro duct. Based on restriction analysis of amplified region, this phytoplasma i s classified to the aster yellows cluster (16SrI), subgroup I-C, with clove r phyllody phytoplasma as a type strain. Partial phytoplasma 16S rDNA seque nce amplified by nested PCR was compared through restriction fragment lengt h polymorphism. No virus infection was detected. This paper is the first re port on clover phyllody phytoplasma in a monocotyledonous host identified o n molecular level.