First report of a 16SrIII phytoplasma (X-disease group) affecting bell pepper, strawberry (frutilla), Schinus molle and Arracacia xanthorrhiza in Cochabamba, Bolivia
Abstract
Recently, symptoms of leaf size reduction and yellowing, proliferation, and shortening of internodes were observed in S. molle trees in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Strawberry plants displayed rosette formation and small fruits, while bell pepper (Capsicum sp.) showed leaf size reduction and shortening of internodes. Symptoms were present in approximately 30% of the strawberry and bell pepper plots, and more than 50% of the S. molle trees surrounding PROINPA exhibited symptoms. A. xanthorrhiza, a nearby-grown vegetable in the celery family (Apiaceae), displayed leaf yellowing and little leaf. Symptom-bearing plants of bell pepper (4), S. molle (5), strawberry (4) and A. xanthorrhiza (4) were collected, as well as one symptomless plant of each plant species. The 16S rRNA sequences of phytoplasmas detected in bell pepper (GenBank accession No. FJ207456), strawberry (FJ207455), S. molle (FJ207454) and A. xanthorrhiza (FJ207451) showed the highest identity (99%) with the members of phytoplasma group 16SrIII (X-disease). This is thought to be the first report of phytoplasmas belonging to group 16SrIII in bell pepper, strawberry, S. molle and A. xanthorrhiza in Cochabamba.
Citation
Arocha, Y.; Plata, G.; Franco, J.; Maín, G.; Veramendi, S.; Lazcano, F.; Crespo, J.L.; Lino, V.; Calderón, C.; Llerena, R.; Andrew, R.; Antezana, O.; Gutiérrez, A.; Coca, M.; Boa, E. First report of a 16SrIII phytoplasma (X-disease group) affecting bell pepper, strawberry (frutilla), Schinus molle and Arracacia xanthorrhiza in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Plant Pathology (2010) 59 (2) 395-395. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3059.2009.02235.x]