The draft genome of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma palmae' strain LY-C2, the phytoplasma associated with coconut lethal yellowing disease, reveals insights into its biological characteristics.

Phytoplasmas are phloem-restricted plant pathogens that infect different plant species, causing severe symptoms in agricultural and ornamental crops. ´Candidatus Phytoplasma palmae' strain LY-C2 is associated with the coconut lethal yellowing disease, a devastating disease for coconut palm. Currently, many phytoplasma genomes have been reported in the literature. One of these corresponds to the draft genome of 'Ca. P. palmae', strain ACPD, which is associated with the Texas Phoenix Palm Decline phytoplasma and belongs to the 16SrIV-D subgroup. The genome of 'Ca. P. palmae', strain ACPD has been sequenced but not thoroughly analyzed. In this study, we present the draft genome of 'Ca. P. palmae'-LY-C2, which belongs to the 16SrIV-A subgroup. It consists of 49 scaffolds, totaling 434,453 bp in length, and contains 412 coding-genes, with 365 of them being protein-coding genes. Fifty-four effectors were predicted, 24 of which are unique to this phytoplasma and 11 share homology with effectors of the Texas Phoenix Palm Decline phytoplasma. Some effectors have protein motifs in common with those of other phytoplasmas, but five new protein motifs exclusive to 'Ca. P. palmae'-LY-C2 were identified. This study also highlights similarities and differences between 'Ca. P. palmae'-LY-C2 and other phytoplasmas, including 'Ca. P. palmae' ACPD, providing new insights into this pathogen. The availability of these draft genomes lay the groundwork for further research on the pathogenic mechanisms and evolution of 'Ca. P. palmae'.