Molecular tools in COST FA0807 Action

Following the application of molecular technologies the phytoplasma phylogeny was resolved and led to the new trivial name of phytoplasma and to the designation of a new taxon named ‘Candidatus phytoplasma’. Because of the highly conserved nature of the 16S rDNA, many biologically or ecologically distinct phytoplasma strains, which warrant designation of a new taxon may fail to meet the requirements necessary for their differentiations. Some additional tools for phylogenetic analyses and finer strain differentiation such as rp, secY, tuf, groEL genes, and the 16S-23S rRNA spacer region sequences were used as supplementary tools or developed to provide useful and reliable taxonomic information in combination with 16S rDNA