Australasian Plant Pathology (2014) 43, 459-463

B. Eckstein, J.C. Barbosa, P.F. Kreyci, K.M.R. Zanol, L.B.N. Coelho, A.C.S.M.L. Gonçalves, K.R. Brunelli, J.R.S. Lopes and I.P. Bedendo (2014)
Identification of potential leafhoppers vectors of phytoplasmas (16SrIII group) associated with broccoli stunt disease in Brazil
Australasian Plant Pathology 43 (4), 459-463
Abstract: Recently, disease in broccoli plants (Brassica oleracea var. italica) was associated with three distinct phytoplasmas in Brazil. The disease named broccoli stunt (BS) has caused significant economic losses in São Paulo State. Group 16SrIII phytoplasmas is the most common group that have been associated with BS. The BS disease is still poorly understood, and the lack of information about the vectors further impairs its management. In this study, leafhoppers belonging to 18 different species were collected from weeds thriving near broccoli fields that were affected by group 16SrIII phytoplasmas. Specific primers revealed the presence of group 16SrIII phytoplasmas in five leafhoppers: Empoasca spp., Agallia albidula Uhler, Agalliana sticticollis (Stål), Planicephalus flavicosta (Stål), and Atanus nitidus (Linnavuori). The identity of the phytoplasmas was confirmed through DNA sequencing analysis. The leafhoppers were infected by phytoplasmas of the 16SrIII group (proposed "Candidatus Phytoplasma pruni" species) and are phylogenetically related to the broccoli stunt phytoplasma (BSP) strains detected in the study area and, thus, are considered potential vectors of group 16SrIII phytoplasmas to broccoli plants.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Ivan Paulo Bedendo, João Roberto Spotti Lopes

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
transmission/dispersal of plant diseases

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Phytoplasma pruni	Cabbage (Brassica oleracea)	Brazil (south)