Epidemics of group 16SrI-A phytoplasmas in a garden of Vilnius region in Lithuania

Abstract Here we report on a plant disease caused by insect-transmitted unculturable plant pathogenic bacteria detected in a private garden in Vilnius region. Samples of symptomatic peas (Pisum sativum L.), nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus L.), strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne) and zucchini (Cucurbita pepo var. giromontina) plant tissues were collected. Based on the molecular technique, the Internet tools and phylogenetic analysis, these pathogens were identified as phytoplasmas and classified in phytoplasma RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) group 16SrI, subgroup A. Because this pathogen may be spread by insect-vector that comes from the wild nature, the phytoplasmas could cause a problem in agriculture of Lithuania.