Abstract

An unknown symptomatology, including yellowing in old plantations, colorless of cladode epidermis, cladode deforming and curly, were observed on the Indian Fig (prickly pear cactus) (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) in the “Pyramids” Indian area located in the northeastern State of Mexico. The samples collected were analyzed through a nested-PCR reaction. The symptoms found, were all attributed to the presence of a phytoplasma given the amplification of a 1200 pb fragment of the 16S rRNA gene using primers R16 F2/R2. The PCR products restriction analysis leading us to assume that the phytoplasma corresponds to subgroup 16Srll, previously reported for other crops in other world regions.

Key words: Indian fig, phytoplasma, Mexico state, 16S rRNA, PCR detection.