Molecular characterization of phytoplasma strains in leafhoppers inhabiting the vineyard agroecosystem in Southern Switzerland Trivellone Valeria1,*, Filippin Luisa2, Jermini Mauro1, Angelini Elisa2 1Station de recherche Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil ACW, Cadenazzo, Switzerland 2CRA-VIT Centro di Ricerca per la Viticoltura, Conegliano, Treviso, Italy *Corresponding author e-mail: Valeria Trivellone (valeria.trivellone@gmail.com)
Online published on 2 January, 2015. Abstract In 2011 the insect species were surveyed in 48 vineyards in Southern Switzerland to determine potential vectors for the spread of “flavescence dorée” and “bois noir” diseases. Overall, 367 insect samples were analysed by nested PCR and RFLP analyses. Sixteen samples, from 8 vineyards, were positive for phytoplasmas. Orientus ishidae and Scaphoideus titanus harboured “flavescence dorée”-related phytoplasmas. Hyalesthes obsoletus and Reptalus species harboured “stolbur” phytoplasmas. This screening allowed to gain more insight into species potentially involved in the epidemiology of these grapevine diseases in Southern Switzerland. Top Keywords Grapevine yellows, Auchenorrhyncha vectors, molecular detection. Top |