Agrotechnology

Molecular characterization of phytoplasma associated with proliferation and virescence disease of periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) in India

2^nd International Conference on Agricultural & Horticultural Sciences

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Hyderabad, India February 03-05, 2014

Kailash N. Gupta and V. K. Baranwal

Accepted Abstracts: Agrotechnol

Abstract:

Periwinkle ( Catharanthus roseus ) is important ornamental and medicinal plant of India. The plants flower is of great importance to Indian system of medicine and pharmaceutical industries. During December 2007, phytoplasma infected sample was received from Karnataka (India). Typical diseases include phyllody, little leaf, dense clusters of highly proliferating branches with shortened internodes. Plant samples were collected and stored at -80C. Symptomatic leaf midrib were used for extraction of DNA using DNeasy Plant Mini kit (Qiagen, Gmbh, Hilden, Germany) and Healthy leaf midrib also used for DNA extraction. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using universal primer P1 and P7, for amplification of 16s, 16/23s intergenic spacer of phytoplasma spp. An amplicon of approximately 1800 bp was obtained. The size of the PCR product is similar to that amplified from candidatus phytoplasma. However, no amplification was found in healthy samples. The PCR product was purified PCR purification kit and the PCR purified product was sequenced and sequence was BLAST, in NCBI. Sequence analysis showed that the phytoplasma associated with the phyllody disease on periwinkle occurring in India, confirmed the presence of a phytoplasma belonging to aster yellow 16SrI group of pytoplasma. The presence of phytoplasma disease poses a new threat to the Periwinkle in Karnataka.

Biography :

Kailash N. Gupta has completed his Ph.D. at the age of 35 years from JMI, A Central University, New Delhi. He is the Assistant Professor cum Scientist of Plant Pathology in Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, India. He has published more than 20 papers in reputed national and international journals and 25 abstracts, 10 technical bulletin and 25 popular articles.