Association of 16SrII-C subgroup phytoplasma related strains with witches’-broom symptoms in Sweet orange and Orlando tangelo in Iran

Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) and Orlando tangelo (C. paradisi × C. reticulata) trees showing witches’-broom symptoms were observed during 2018 in southern Kerman province, Iran. Detection of phytoplasmas in the symptomatic trees was confirmed by nested PCR assays using the phytoplasma specific primers. Sequence analysis indicated that the phytoplasmas associated with the witches’-broom affected trees belong to the 16SrII-C subgroup phytoplasma. This is the first report of a 16SrII-C phytoplasma associated with witches’-broom symptoms of Sweet orange and Orlando tangelo trees in the world.