Ligase detection reaction and universal arrays as a tool to detect grapevine infecting phytoplasmas

Phytoplasmas are unculturable wall less bacteria involved in many plant diseases; in particular Flavescence dorée represents a severe threat to viticulture, because of its epidemic behavior in field. Here we present the application of the LDR technique, associated with hybridisation on universal arrays, as a quick and reliable tool for plant quarantine procedures and mandatory measures, in order to distinguish between different phytoplasmas' induced infections, compared to classical protocols in use, particularly PCR - RFLP assays.