Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii associated with faba bean phyllody in Jordan

Faba bean phyllody associated with a high population of leafhoppers was observed in fields in Jordan Valley. Samples of affected plants were used to transmit the phyllody agent to faba bean by grafting. Empoasca decipiens was detected as potential insect vector of the disease. The phytoplasma presence was detected by nested PCR targeting the 16S rDNA using the primer pairs P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2. Nucleotide sequences of phytoplasmas identified in faba bean, some weeds and insects shared 99.6% sequence identity with ‘Ca. P. trifolii’, subgroup 16SrVI-A.