Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology (2016) 38, 164-173

Y. Arocha Rosete, H. Atta Diallo, J.L. Konan Konan, A.E.P. Kouamé, K. Séka, K.D. Kra, M.N. Toualy, K.E. Kwadjo, W.A.M.P. Daramcoum, N.I. Beugré, B.W.M. Ouattara, C.G. Kouadjo Zaka, K. Allou, N.D. Fursy-Rodelec, O.N. Doudjo-Ouattara, N. Yankey, S. Dery, A. Maharaj, M. Saleh, R. Summerbell, N. Contaldo, S. Paltrinieri, A. Bertaccini and J. Scott (2016)
Detection and identification of the coconut lethal yellowing phytoplasma in weeds growing in coconut farms in Côte d'Ivoire
Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology 38 (2), 164-173
Abstract: Coconut farms located in the southern coast of Grand-Lahou in Côte d'Ivoire are severely affected by a lethal yellowing disease (CILY) associated with the group 16SrXXII-B, ' Candidatus Phytoplasma palmicola'-related strains. Given the high prevalence of weed species on most of the farms, plants growing within and in the periphery of five selected coconut farms were assessed for the presence of the CILY phytoplasma to identify potential alternative hosts. A total of 396 plant samples belonging to 84 plant species and 35 botanical families were collected. Total DNA was extracted and tested by nested PCR with primers targeting the 16S rRNA and the translocation protein (secA) phytoplasma genes, and sequenced. Twenty samples from six plant species and five botanical families yielded PCR amplicons of the expected size, and both the secA and 16S rDNA sequences showed over 99% similarity with that of the Côte d'Ivoire lethal yellowing phytoplasma previously identified from coconut palms grown in Grand-Lahou coconut farms. Plant species from the families Poaceae (Paspalum vaginatum, Pennisetum pedicillatum), Verbenaceae (Stachytarpheta indica), Plantaginaceae (Scoparia dulcis), Phyllanthaceae (Phyllantus muellerianus) and Cyperacea (Diplacrum capitatum) were positive for the presence of the CILY phytoplasma, suggesting they may have epidemiological implications for disease spread in coconut farms in Grand-Lahou.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: English)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Assunta Bertaccini, Nicoletta Contaldo

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
environment - cropping system/rotation
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Paspalum vaginatum (weed)	Coconut (Cocos nucifera)	Ivory Coast
	Cenchrus pedicellatus (weed)	Coconut (Cocos nucifera)	Ivory Coast
	Stachytarpheta (weeds)	Coconut (Cocos nucifera)	Ivory Coast
	16SrXXII phytoplasma group	Coconut (Cocos nucifera)	Ivory Coast