Universal and group-specific real-time PCR diagnosis of flavescence dorée (16Sr-V), bois noir (16Sr-XII) and apple proliferation (16Sr-X) phytoplasmas from field-collected plant hosts and insect vectors

Three real‐time PCR–based assays for the specific diagnosis of flavescence dorée (FD), bois noir (BN) and apple proliferation (AP) phytoplasmas and a universal one for the detection of phytoplasmas belonging to groups 16Sr‐V, 16Sr‐X and 16Sr‐XII have been developed. Ribosomal‐based primers CYS2Fw/Rv and TaqMan probe CYS2 were used for universal diagnosis in real‐time PCR. For group‐specific detection of FD phytoplasma, ribosomal‐based primers fAY/rEY, specific for 16Sr‐V phytoplasmas, were chosen. For diagnosis of BN and AP phytoplasmas, specific primers were designed on non‐ribosomal and nitroreductase DNA sequences, respectively. SYBR^® Green I detection coupled with melting curve analysis was used in each group‐specific protocol. Field‐collected grapevines infected with FD and BN phytoplasmas and apple trees infected with AP phytoplasma, together with Scaphoideus titanus, Hyalesthes obsoletus and Cacopsylla melanoneura adults, captured in the same vineyards and orchards, were used as templates in real‐time PCR assays. The diagnostic efficiency of each group‐specific protocol was compared with well‐established detection procedures, based on conventional nested PCR. Universal amplification was obtained in real‐time PCR from DNAs of European aster yellows (16Sr‐I), elm yellows (16Sr‐V), stolbur (16Sr‐XII) and AP phytoplasma reference isolates maintained in periwinkles. The same assay detected phytoplasma DNA in all test plants and test insect vectors infected with FD, BN and AP phytoplasmas. Our group‐specific assays detected FD, BN, and AP phytoplasmas with high efficiencies, similar to those obtained with nested PCR and did not amplify phytoplasma DNA of other taxonomic groups. Melting curve analysis was necessary for the correct identification of the specific amplicons generated in the presence of very low target concentrations. Our work shows that real‐time PCR methods can sensitively and rapidly detect phytoplasmas at the universal or group‐specific level. This should be useful in developing defence strategies and for quantitative studies of phytoplasma–plant–vector interactions.     

A new approach to apple proliferation detection: a highly sensitive real-time PCR assay

The present paper describes a new approach for diagnosis of apple proliferation (AP) phytoplasma in plant material using a multiplex real-time PCR assay simultaneously amplifying a fragment of the pathogen 16S rRNA gene and the host, Malus domestica, chloroplast gene coding for tRNA leucine. For the first time, such an approach, with an internal analytical control, is described in a diagnostic procedure for plant pathogenic phytoplasmas enabling distinction between uninfected plant material and false-negative results caused by PCR inhibition. Pathogen detection is based on the highly conserved 16S rRNA gene to ensure amplification of different AP phytoplasma strains. The newly designed primer/probe set allows specific detection of all examined AP strains, without amplifying other fruit tree phytoplasmas or more distantly related phytoplasma strains. Apart from its specificity, real-time PCR with serial dilutions of initial template DNA ranging over almost five orders of magnitude (undiluted to 80,000-fold diluted) demonstrated linear amplification over the whole range, while conventional PCR showed a reliable detection only up to 500-fold or 10,000-fold dilutions, respectively. Compared to existing analytical diagnostic procedures for phytoplasmas, a rapid, highly specific and highly sensitive diagnostic method becomes now available.     

Phylogenetic relationships of coconut phytoplasmas and the development of specific oligonucleotide PCR primers

Using the polymerase chain reaction the 16S rRNA genes and the 16S-23S spacer regions of phytoplasmas associated with lethal decline diseases of coconut palm (Cocos nucifera), were amplified from infected plants from Florida and the Yucatan region in Mexico and from east and west Africa. Following sequencing of the rDNA products, phylogenetic analysis confirmed that these coconut phytoplasmas form a separate cluster within the phytoplasma clade and that the pathogen causing diseases in west Africa formed a new sub-clade within this cluster. Analysis of the 16S-23S intergenic spacer regions confirmed the sequence diversity of this region and enabled two primers to be designed which were specific for the diseases found in east and west Africa. None of these specific primers, when paired with a universal primer, produced PCR amplification products from healthy coconut DNA, infected coconut DNA from the Caribbean or DNA from a variety of periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus)-maintained phytoplasmas. These specific primers can serve as effective tools for identifying particular coconut phytoplasmas in field samples.     

Susceptibility and Tolerance of New French Prunus domestica Cultivars to European Stone Fruit Yellows Phytoplasmas

Five new cultivars of French prune (Prune d'Ente) and 11 cultivars or new clones of greengage (Reine Claude) were bud-inoculated with European stone fruit yellows (ESFY) phytoplasmas and evaluated for their host response in the nursery over a period of 6 years. The ESFY infection was confirmed by specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining in all Prunus domestica cultivars tested which were, thus, all susceptible to ESFY phytoplasmas. The new Prune d'Ente cultivars were more sensitive as they generally developed ESFY symptoms and showed a mortality of 19%. The fruit weight was significantly reduced. No mortality was observed with Reine Claude genotypes and only two cultivars exhibited weak ESFY symptoms. A new sensitive method was developed to measure the impact of ESFY phytoplasmas on the shoot growth. A significant growth reduction was found in all Prune d'Ente cultivars but only in four out of 11 Reine Claude genotypes. Therefore, the latter were found to be tolerant of ESFY infection.     

A new phytoplasma detected in the South Australian native perennial shrub, Allocasuarina muelleriana

Allocasuarina muelleriana shrubs growing in natural sclerophyll roadside vegetation near Willalooka in the upper south‐east of South Australia have a high incidence of a yellowing disorder in either all or part of the foliage, combined in some cases with a shortening and curling of the leaf‐bearing stems. Samples from symptomatic and adjacent asymptomatic plants were tested for phytoplasmas by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. All but one asymptomatic plant were negative for phytoplasmas, whereas about half of the symptomatic plants were positive. Restriction fragment polymorphism analysis of PCR products indicated that the phytoplasma was related to the buckthorn witches.‐broom (BWB) and apple proliferation (AP) groups of phytoplasmas, members of which have not been previously reported in Australia. Further evidence from the sequence of the 16S rRNA gene and the use of PCR primers specific to the AP and pear decline (PD) phytoplasmas confirmed the close relationship to the BWB and AP group phytoplasmas.     

Seasonal Colonization Pattern of European Stone Fruit Yellows Phytoplasmas in Different Prunus Species Detected by Specific PCR

The seasonal variation in the colonization of two Japanese plum trees by European stone fruit yellows (ESFY) phytoplasmas was followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection for 2 years. Samples were obtained monthly from nine above-ground sampling sites and one root. The colonization of the trees was systemic from July until leaf fall. The ESFY phytoplasmas were also detected in off-season grown leaves during winter until March. In contrast, almost no phytoplasmas could be detected in normally grown leaves in April and May. Similar results have been obtained for European plum cultivars using 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining and PCR and for apricot cultivars tested by PCR. A possible explanation of this phenomenon is discussed. The root system of the corresponding Prunus marianna GF 8–1 rootstocks remained infected throughout the year and the phytoplasmas were equally distributed within the roots as determined when the trees were uprooted. In vitro culture was used to demonstrate that ESFY phytoplasmas detected by PCR in winter in aerial parts of the tree were viable. Nine ESFY-diseased shoot cultures were obtained at four different time points during winter. Sampling protocols for ESFY phytoplasma detection by PCR in routine diagnosis are discussed.     

杏褪绿卷叶植原体新疆分离物核糖体蛋白基因的克隆与序列分析

【目的】了解杏褪绿卷叶植原体新疆分离物的系统发育关系及遗传分化,确定其分类地位。【方法】利用植原体核糖体蛋白(rp)基因的特异性引物rpF1/rpR1对新疆轮台县托克逊县杏褪绿卷叶病植株总DNA进行PCR扩增,并对部分扩增片段克隆、测序及序列分析。【结果】获得杏褪绿卷叶植原体新疆分离物rp基因片段大小为1196 bp,该片段包含部分rpS19以及rpL22和rpS3基因的全部序列。序列相似性和系统进化分析表明,杏褪绿卷叶植原体新疆分离物与16SrⅤ-rp亚组中的各代表性植原体的rp基因核苷酸序列相似性达到95.7%~99.3%,其中与rpⅤ-C亚组的甜樱桃绿化植原体和枣疯病植原体的相似性最高,核苷酸及氨基酸相似性分别达到99.2%~99.3%和98.3%~98.4%。进一步虚拟RFLP分析,发现杏褪绿卷叶植原新疆分离物rp基因的酶切图谱与rpⅤ-C亚组成员相似性最高,但在MseⅠ、SspⅠ和TaqⅠ的酶切位点上存在差异。综上初步判断其可能属于16SrⅤ组(榆树黄化组)中的一个新rp亚组。【结论】本研究首次报道了杏褪绿卷叶植原体新疆分离物的rp基因序列,确定了其分类地位,为杏褪绿卷叶病的早期诊断和检测提供了基础。     

Association of a Phytoplasma with Pistachio Witches’ Broom Disease in Iran

Pistachio is an important crop in Iran, which is a major producer and exporter of pistachio nuts. The occurrence of a new disease of pistachio trees, characterized by the development of severe witches’ broom, stunted growth and leaf rosetting, was observed in Ghazvin Province. A phytoplasma was detected in infected trees by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of rRNA operon sequences. Nested PCR with primer pairs P1/P7 and R16F2n/R16R2 was used for specific detection of the phytoplasma in infected trees. To determine its taxonomy, the random fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) pattern and sequence analysis of the amplified rRNA gene were studied. Sequencing of the amplified products of the phytoplasma 16S rRNA gene indicated that pistachio witches’ broom (PWB) phytoplasma is in a separate 16S rRNA group of phytoplasmas (with sequence homology 97% in Blast search). The unique properties of the DNA of the PWB phytoplasma indicate that it is a representative of a new taxon.     

A multiplex nested PCR assay for simultaneous detection of Corchorus golden mosaic virus and a phytoplasma in white jute (Corchorus capsularis L.)

A multiplex nested PCR assay was developed by optimizing reaction components and reaction cycling parameters for simultaneous detection of Corchorus golden mosaic virus (CoGMV) and a phytoplasma (Group 16Sr V‐C) causing little leaf and bunchy top in white jute (Corchorus capsularis). Three sets of specific primers viz. a CoGMV specific (DNA‐A region) primer, a 16S rDNA universal primer pair P1/P7 and nested primer pair R16F2n/R2 for phytoplasmas were used. The concentrations of the PCR components such as primers, MgCl₂, Taq DNA polymerase, dNTPs and PCR conditions including annealing temperature and amplification cycles were examined and optimized. Expected fragments of 1 kb (CoGMV), 674 bp (phytoplasma) and 370 bp (nested R16F2n/R2) were successfully amplified by this multiplex nested PCR system ensuring simultaneous, sensitive and specific detection of the phytoplasma and the virus. The multiplex nested PCR provides a sensitive, rapid and low‐cost method for simultaneous detection of jute little leaf phytoplasma and CoGMV. Based on BLASTn analyses, the phytoplasma was found to belong to the Group 16Sr V‐C.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Incidence of phytoplasma diseases is increasing worldwide and particularly in the tropical and subtropical world. Co‐infection of phytoplasma and virus(s) is also common. Therefore, use of single primer PCR in detecting these pathogens would require more time and effort, whereas multiplex PCR involving several pairs of primers saves time and reduces cost. In this study, we have developed a multiplex nested PCR assay that provides more sensitive and specific detection of Corchorus golden mosaic virus (CoGMV) and a phytoplasma in white jute simultaneously. It is the first report of simultaneous detection of CoGMV and a phytoplasma in Corchorus capsularis by multiplex nested PCR.     

Occurrence of European Stone Fruit Yellows Phytoplasma (ESFYP) Infection in Peach Orchards in Northern-Central Italy

During field surveys in 1999 and 2000 of peach orchards in Northern-Central Italy, plants of different cultivars were observed with symptoms of early leaf reddening, abnormal thickening of midribs and primary veins, autumnal growth of latent buds which produce tiny chlorotic leaves and sometimes flowers, and early phylloptosis; such symptoms, rarely seen previously on peach, are associated with European stone fruit yellows phytoplasma (ESFYP). In the orchards inspected, 1–4% of trees were affected and most were grafted on cv. G.F. 677. In most of the symptomatic samples (130 of 157 tested), only ESFYP was detected using different diagnostic methods [4',6'-diamidino-2-phenilindole, 2HCl (DAPI), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with ribosomal and non-ribosomal primer pairs, PCR-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, nested-PCR]. The immunoenzymatic detection of PCR products with a pathogen-specific probe ensured fast, sensitive and specific detection of ESFYP. This is the first survey to assess the occurrence of phytoplasmas in peach orchards in Northern-Central Italy.     

First detection of “Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris” - and “Candidatus Phytoplasma solani”-related strains in fig trees

In July 2017, a survey was conducted in a fig collection plot at Locorotondo (south of Italy) to investigate the possible presence of phytoplasmas in plants showing yellowing, deformed leaves, short internodes, mottling and mosaic. Samples were collected from symptomatic plants and tested by nested PCR assays using universal and specific primers to amplify the 16S rDNA of these prokaryotes. PCR results detected the presence of phytoplasma sequences in twenty plant samples that resulted clustering two phylogenetically distinct phytoplasmas, i.e., “Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris” and “Candidatus Phytoplasma solani” affiliated to 16SrI and 16SrXII ribosomal groups, respectively. The presence of phytoplasmas belonging to both ribosomal groups was confirmed with group specific quantitative PCR and RFLP assays on 16S ribosomal amplicons. Results of this study indicate for the first time the occurrence of phytoplasmas in fig; however, more work should be carried out to verify their association with the symptoms observed on diseased fig plants.     

Identification of phytoplasmas associated with a decline of European hackberry (Celtis australis)

The presence of phytoplasmas in declining trees of European hackberry was demonstrated for the first time using polymerase chain reaction assays with primers amplifying phytoplasma 16S rDNA regions. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of these DNA fragments together with PCR, employing primers specific for particular phylogenetic groups of phytoplasmas, made it possible to detect the presence of aster yellows group (16SrI) related phytoplasmas. These were classified into two different subgroups (I-B and I-C) and were present in both symptomatic and asymptomatic hackberry plants. Aster yellows-related phytoplasmas were found in all the root samples collected during the winter. In addition, phytoplasmas from the peach X disease group (16SrIH) were found in four out of 10 root samples; in five root samples phytoplasmas of the elm yellows group (16SrV) were also present.     

Detection of lethal yellowing phytoplasma in coconut plantlets obtained through in vitro germination of zygotic embryos from the seeds of infected palms

Lethal yellowing (LY) is a disease caused by 16SrIV phytoplasmas that has devastated coconut plantations in the Americas. An alternative means of phytoplasma spread is through seeds. Therefore, we used a novel approach based on plumules from the embryos of LY‐diseased coconut palms. We cultured the plumules in vitro to determine the presence of phytoplasma DNA in the plantlets. In the first assay, 185 embryos were obtained. The results showed positive detection in 20 samples (11%) with the nested PCR and in 59 samples (32%) with the TaqMan real‐time PCR. A second assay was designed to trace plumules to their respective embryos and haustorial tissues to determine whether they had derived from an embryo with positive LY detection; a total of 124 embryos were obtained. The results showed no positive detection with the nested PCR and positive detection in 42 of the haustorial tissue samples (32%) with the TaqMan real‐time PCR. The 124 plumules isolated from the embryos were cultivated under in vitro conditions and divided into two groups. Group A was followed for shoot formation and Group B was followed to the plantlet stage. After 3 months of cultivation, 33 cultures (50%) within Group A became necrotic; the rest were analysed to evaluate LY phytoplasma DNA with the TaqMan real‐time PCR assay and 14 (42%) tested positive. After 18 months of cultivation, 20 cultures (34%) within Group B became necrotic. The rest were analysed for the detection of the LY phytoplasma DNA, and 15 and 11 (39% and 29%) of the samples tested positive with the TaqMan real‐time PCR and nested PCR assays, respectively. Blast analysis of the sequenced products revealed that the sequences showed 99% homology with LY‐phytoplasma subgroup 16SrIV‐A. The results presented here demonstrate, for the first time, the occurrence of the transmission of LY phytoplasmas from coconut embryos to plantlets.     

Identification of Phytoplasmas Associated with Grapevine Yellows in Serbia

The molecular identification and characterization of phytoplasmas from infected grapevines in four locations in Serbia are reported. Phytoplasmas were detected and identified by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified 16S rDNA. Grapevine yellows were associated with three molecularly distinguishable phytoplasmas: Flavescence dorée phytoplasmas (elm yellows group: 16SrV‐C subgroup) were present only in the Župa Aleksandrovac region; Bois noir phytoplasmas (stolbur group: 16SrXII‐A subgroup) were detected in the other surveyed regions; a mixed infection of European stone fruit yellows (apple proliferation group: 16SrX‐B subgroup) and Bois noir phytoplasmas was identified in one sample. A finer molecular characterization by RFLP analysis of rpS3 and SecY genes of Flavescence dorée phytoplasmas from Župa Aleksandrovac confirmed that the Serbian genotype is indistinguishable from a strain from the Veneto region, Italy. Characterization of the tuf gene of Bois noir phytoplasmas showed lack of amplification of samples from Erdevik. HpaII profiles of tuf gene PCR products of samples from Pali and Radmilovac were identical, and were indistinguishable from one of the two profiles produced by samples from Italian grapevines used as reference strains.     

Diversity of phytoplasmas isolated from insects, determined by a DNA heteroduplex mobility assay and a length polymorphism of the 16S−23S rDNA spacer region analysis

Two techniques were developed for the analysis of non-cultivable mollicutes in insects. The first was aimed at detecting organisms belonging to undiscovered groups within the phytoplasma clade. After prescreening by polymerase chain reaction with phytoplasma-specific primers, nucleic acids from 54 positive samples were amplified using phytoplasma-specific fluorescein-labelled primers flanking the 16S−23S rDNA spacer region, which is variable in length among the phytoplasmas. The sizes of all the detected products were only those expected for already-described phytoplasma subclades. It was also shown that a single leafhopper might carry different phytoplasmas, at similar or very different relative concentrations. The second technique, based on the heteroduplex mobility assay, was designed for the detection of organisms phylogenetically similar to phytoplasmas but not recognized by the specific primer pair. As a result, signals generated by ribosomal DNA of organisms which appear to be closely related but not identical to phytoplasmas were detected.     

Asparagus officinalis: A New Host of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’

Asparagus officinalis plants with severe fasciation of some spears were observed in southern Bohemia between 1998 and 2007. Nucleic acids extracted from these and asymptomatic plants were assayed with nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the phytoplasma‐specific universal ribosomal primers P1/P7 and R16F2n/R2. The restriction profiles obtained from digestion of the PCR products with five endonucleases (AluI, HhaI, KpnI, MseI and RsaI) were identical in all phytoplasmas infecting asparagus in the Czech Republic and indistinguishable from those of phytoplasmas in the aster yellows group (subgroup 16SrI‐B). Sequence analysis of 1754 bp of the ribosomal operon indicated that the closest related phytoplasmas were those associated with epilobium phyllody and onion yellows. This is the first report of the natural occurrence of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ in A. officinalis.     

Spreading of ESFY Phytoplasmas in Stone Fruit in Catalonia (Spain)

A survey was carried out in nine stone fruit commercial orchards located in Barcelona province where plum and apricot trees of different cultivars showing European stone fruit yellows (ESFY) symptoms were present. A 4‐year survey with visual inspection of symptoms in one apricot orchard showed a rather high ESFY disease spread, also in a Japanese plum plantation newly infected plants were detected every year in a similar rate (about 2%). All the inspected symptomatic trees were polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tested and ESFY phytoplasma identity was confirmed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses and sequencing of ribosomal DNA amplification products. In apricot plantation the detection of ESFY phytoplasma was also tested on 69 asymptomatic trees sampled in summer 2002. The nested PCR with 16SrX group‐specific primers allowed detection of ESFY phytoplasmas in 50% of the trees that indeed showed symptoms by the next winter (2003). The molecular detection of ESFY phytoplasma in asymptomatic apricot trees indicates the risk of maintaining phytoplasma foci in the fields where eradication is based only on visual inspection.     

中国各地不同枣树品种上枣疯病植原体的PCR检测及分子变异分析

摘要：【目的】检测不同地区枣树品种上的枣疯植原体侵染及保守基因序列的变异。【方法】利用植原体16S rDNA的通用引物R16mF2／R16mR1、16S-23S间区序列(SR)的通用引物SR1/SR及secY基因引物FD9f/r,通过PCR检测采自国内7个地区14个枣树品种上的32个枣疯病和4个酸枣丛枝病样品。将PCR产物进行直接或克隆测序,结合已报导的测序数据,进行序列同源性和系统进化分析。【结果】所有枣疯病样品中均检测到植原体;皆属于榆树黄化16S rV-B亚组,与我国重阳木丛枝和樱桃致死黄化遗传关系     

Artemisia vulgaris,a new host of 16SrV-C phytoplasma related strains infecting black alder in Poland

Yellowing of leaf tissue and strongly deformed shoots were observed in common mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris L.) growing in a nature reserve in Southern Poland. Similar foliage chlorosis together with abnormal shoot proliferation was noticed on alder tree (Alnus glutinosa Gaertn.) growing next to the common mugwort. DNA specific fragments coding 16S rRNA and ribosomal proteins (rp) were amplified from mugwort and alder samples using direct and nested PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) assays. Phylogenetic relationships inferred from 16S and rps3 genes indicated that strains infecting mugwort and alder were most closely related to phytoplasmas of subgroups 16SrV-C and 16SrV-D. Based on the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the 16S rDNA, the investigated phytoplasma strains were classified to subgroup 16SrV-C. Two sequence variants of the rps3 gene which differed by a single nucleotide were detected in all analysed samples by pairwise analysis of the aligned reads. Taking into account that this single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) occurs among 16SrV-C and 16SrV-D related phytoplasmas and that the phytoplasmas have a single copy of rp operon, we concluded that each plant species was infected by two distinct, closely related phytoplasma strains. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of group 16SrV-C related phytoplasmas infecting common mugwort worldwide, adding a new host species that is possibly linked to the spread of the alder pathogen in Eastern Europe. Although alder yellows phytoplasma has been frequently found in Europe, this is the first detection of phytoplasmas associated with alder in Poland.     

Identification of aster yellows phytoplasma in garlic and green onion by PCR-based methods

In the summer of 1999, typical yellows-type symptoms were observed on garlic and green onion plants in a number of gardens and plots around Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. DNA was extracted from leaf tissues of evidently healthy and infected plants. DNA amplifications were conducted on these samples, using two primer pairs, R16F2n/R2 and R16(1)F1/R1, derived from phytoplasma rDNA sequences. DNA samples of aster yellows (AY), lime witches'-broom (LWB) and potato witches'-broom (PWB) phytoplasmas served as controls and were used to determine group relatedness. In a direct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, DNA amplification with universal primer pair R16F2n/R2 gave the expected amplified products of 1.2 kb. Dilution (1/40) of each of the latter products were used as template and nested with specific primer pair R16(1)F1/R1. An expected PCR product of 1.1 kb was obtained from each phytoplasma-infected garlic and green onion samples, LWB and AY phytoplasmas but not from PWB phytoplasma. An aliquot from each amplification product (1.2 kb) with universal primers was subjected to PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) to identify phytoplasma isolates, using four restriction endonucleases (AluI, KpnI, MseI and RsaI). DNA amplification with specific primer pair R16(1)F1/R1 and RFLP analysis indicated the presence of AY phytoplasma in the infected garlic and green onion samples. These results suggest that AY phytoplasma in garlic and green onion samples belong to the subgroup 16Sr1-A.