Journal of General Plant Pathology (2006) 72, 40-42

Roxana Yanira Parada, Serafina Castro, Reina de Serrano, Blanca Estela Castillo, Jaime Ayala, Eduardo Vides and Javier Romero (2006)
First report of a phytoplasma associated with Spondias purpurea (Jocote de Corona) in El Salvador
Journal of General Plant Pathology 72 (1), 40-42
Abstract: A new disease of the fruit tree Jocote de Corona (Spondias purpurea L.) was observed in El Salvador, Central America. The symptoms included small chlorotic leaves, highly proliferating shoots, and shortened internodes. Absence of sweet pulp in fruits made them inedible, causing considerable yield losses for farmers. The disease etiology was investigated using polymerase chain reaction with phytoplasma-specific primers, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. We obtained no amplification products from symptomless plants, whereas all tests were positive from plants with symptoms. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that this phytoplasma clustered in the 16SrIII group, the type member of which is X-disease phytoplasma. This is the first report of a phytoplasma associated with Jocote de Corona disease in El Salvador and Central America.
(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): Javier Romero

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Phytoplasma pruni	Spondias (genus)	El Salvador