Journal of Phytopathology (2011) 159, 124-126

Assunta Bertaccini, Nicoletta Contaldo, Alessandro Benni, Massimo Curini, Salvatore Genovese, Francesco Epifano and Maria Grazia Bellardi (2011)
Effects of `Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' on the volatile chemical content and composition of Grindelia robusta Nutt.
Journal of Phytopathology 159 (2), 124-126
Abstract: Grindelia robusta, a perennial herb, contains an essential oil that is used as an antitussive, sedative, and analgesic agent. During the spring of 2007, `Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris'-related phytoplasmas were identified in plants showing virescence and phyllody symptoms. The qualitative and quantitative composition of the oil of healthy and infected plants was compared by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Samples from six symptomatic and five asymptomatic plants tested by nested PCR followed by RFLP analyses confirmed the presence of `Ca. P. asteris' in all symptomatic samples. The oils from healthy and infected plants, obtained by steam distillation, contained 42 components; that of healthy plants contained a higher concentration of monoterpenes, especially limonene and bornyl acetate, which were nearly 50% higher.
(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): Assunta Bertaccini, Nicoletta Contaldo, Maria Grazia Bellardi

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 asteris	Grindelia (crop)