Interception of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ in Brazil in apple tree propagative material imported from France

ABSTRACT: Apple plants from France introduced in Brazil for research purposes were subjected to a phytosanitary analysis at the Plant Quarantine Laboratory of Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (Cenargen). After grafting onto healthy apple rootstock, some plants showed phytoplasma-infection symptoms. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests yielded DNA fragments of the expected size for phytoplasmas. DNA sequencing revealed an identity of the 16S rDNA nucleotide sequence of 98-99% with ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’. This phytoplasma species is responsible for losses in European apple orchards and has not been reported in Brazil. According to the Federal Legislation on Plant Protection, the plants were incinerated to avoid the introduction of this exotic pest in Brazil.