First Report of Barley as Host of a Phytoplasma Belonging to Group 16SrI, Subgroup B, and Ribosomal Protein Subgroup rpI-B in Lithuania.

Numerous diseased plants of barley (Hordeum vulgaris L.) exhibiting twisted, abnormally thin and yellowed awns, reduced spikelets, and general stunting and yellowing were observed in fields in the Vilnius and Kaisiadorys regions of Lithuania. The possible association of a phyto-plasma with the disease, termed barley deformation (BaDef), was assessed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).