The CpnClassiPhyR is a resource for cpn60 universal target-based classification of phytoplasmas

Phytoplasmas are plant pathogenic bacteria that can cause severe losses in crop seed yield and quality. These insect-transmitted bacteria are not amenable to culture in the laboratory, and their detection and classification has relied on the determination of DNA sequences of target genes. Phytoplasma detection and surveillance has relied on a system for classifying phytoplasmas based on the sequence of 16S rRNA-encoding genes. However, limitations associated with the exclusive use of these gene sequences, including their limited ability to discern closely related strains and the fact that the two copies of this gene found in phytoplasma genomes can provide conflicting typing results has led to the search for complementary markers for phytoplasma classification. We provide a web-based interface, the CpnClassiPhyR, for classifying phytoplasma strains using the sequence of a single-copy, protein-coding gene, chaperonin-60 (cpn60). Classification of phytoplasmas using both taxonomic markers will improve phytoplasma strain tracking, benefiting agricultural production systems worldwide.