Bertaccini, Assunta


Publications
31

Molecular identification of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma palmicola’ associated with coconut lethal yellowing in Equatorial Guinea

Citation
Bertaccini et al. (2023). Annals of Applied Biology
Names
Ca. Phytoplasma palmicola
Abstract
AbstractDuring the past two decades, a high mortality of coconut palms was observed in the coastal areas of Equatorial Guinea. Reportedly, the palm population has been reduced by 60%–70%, and coconut production has decreased accordingly. To identify the cause of the mortality, a survey was carried out in April 2021 in various localities of the coconut belt. Molecular analyses carried out on 16S rRNA and secA genes detected phytoplasma presence in the majority of the samples. Sequencing and BLAST

Revision of the ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’ species description guidelines

Citation
Bertaccini et al. (2022). International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 72 (4)
Names
Ca. Phytoplasma
Abstract
The genus ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’ was proposed to accommodate cell wall-less bacteria that are molecularly and biochemically incompletely characterized, and colonize plant phloem and insect vector tissues. This provisional classification is highly relevant due to its application in epidemiological and ecological studies, mainly aimed at keeping the severe phytoplasma plant diseases under control worldwide. Given the increasing discovery of molecular diversity within the genus ‘Ca. Phytoplasma’,

Survey for ‘Candidatus Liberibacter’ and ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’ in Citrus in Chile

Citation
Quiroga et al. (2021). Pathogens 11 (1)
Names
Ca. Phytoplasma Liberibacter
Abstract
The considerable economic losses in citrus associated with ‘Candidatus Liberibacter’ and ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’ presence have alerted all producing regions of the world. In Chile, none of these bacteria have been reported in citrus species. During the years 2017 and 2019, 258 samples presenting symptoms similar to those associated with the presence of these bacteria were examined. No detection of ‘Ca. Liberibacter’ associated with “huanglongbing” disease was obtained in the tested samples; the