Immunodetection of phytoplasmas in wild blackberry in northern Portugal

Phytoplasmas were detected by indirect immunofluorescence and Western tissu e printing in naturally infected wild blackberry with symptoms of stunt dis ease. Phytoplasma-specific immunofluorescence and immunocytolocalization si phytoplasma antigens on Western tissue prints were associated with phloem tissues in stunt-diseased plants, but not in controls. The presence of phyt oplasmas was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) that showe d a great number of these pathogens in sieve cubes of diseased plants. This is the first report of phytoplasmas associated with diseased wild blackber ry in northern portugal.