Molecular identification of 'bois noir' phytoplasmas in grapevine in Bulgaria

Field inspection in 4 vineyards located near Plovdiv (Bulgaria) allows observation of yellows symptom presence. PCR/RFLP analyses on 16S ribosomal gene identified phytoplasmas belonging to 16SrXII-A ribosomal subgroup in both symptomatic grapevines and bindweed growing in infected vineyard. Grapevine mother plant and young plants were also infected suggesting that, even if this is the first report of this disease in Bulgaria, the environment is epidemically affected.