Phyllody phytoplasma infecting sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) in south India

A survey conducted during 2009-10 on incidence of phyllody disease associated with sesame in southern parts of Karnataka, India showed its ranging from 17 to 75%. The phytoplasma identification was based on symptomatology and 16S rDNA amplification in nested PCR, followed by RFLP analyses and sequencing of amplicons. Phylogenetic tree and RFLP analysis indicated that South Indian (Karnataka strain) sesame phyllody phytoplasma belongs to 16SrI group.