Detection of phytoplasma in Allocasurina fraseriana and Acacia saligna in Kings Park

Saqib, M., Smith, B.D., Parrish, J.L., Ramsdale, R.A. and Jones, M.G.K. (2007) Detection of phytoplasma in Allocasurina fraseriana and Acacia saligna in Kings Park. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, 90 (4). pp. 175-178.

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Abstract

Phytoplasma-like symptoms which included bunchy growth, witches. broom and .little leaf. were observed in Allocasurina fraseriana (Western Sheoak, Casuarina) and Acacia saligna (Acacia, Orange Wattle) trees in Kings Park and Botanic Garden. The affected trees were in a poor state of health or appeared to be dying. Many trees of other species exhibited similar symptoms. A sensitive, diagnostic method based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the presence of phytoplasma in symptomatic and asymptomatic leaf and root samples from the trees. The amplified PCR products were sequenced and the sequences submitted to Genbank as Casuarina (accession number EF474451) and Acacia (accession number EF474452). Sequence analysis indicated that the phytoplasma detected in plants belonged to the 16Sr II group and was closely related to Candidatus phytoplasma aurantifolia. Phytoplasma-associated disease has therefore been confirmed for the first time in casuarina and acacia trees in Western Australia.