Phytoparasitica (2001) 29, 246-247
Edna Tanne, D. Clair and E. Boudon-Padieu (2001)
Identification of vectors of phytoplasma using PCR analysis of insect saliva
Phytoparasitica 29 (3), 246-247
22nd Congress of the Israeli Phytopathological Society, February 12-13, 2001, Bet Dagan, Israel (not presented at the Congress)
Abstract: Grapevine yellows (GY) is widespread in most viticultural countries, causing damage to various degrees. The disease is associated with phytoplasmas belonging to four different groups, all of them generally known to be transmitted by leaf/planthoppers. Controlling the spread of these diseases requires the identification of the vector and the study of its biology. Biological transmission assays are used to demonstrate the inoculativity of an insect. These require controlled growing systems and 3-4 weeks (at least) for symptom appearance. It is further complicated since insect-plant and insect-phytoplasma specificities are known, and these tests may fail due to unsuitable test plants or conditions. We have developed an alternative method to the biological transmission assay that could be used on a large scale to check insects' infectivity: a PCR-based analysis of phytoplasma in the insect's saliva. The validity of the newly developed assay was tested by correlation to actual transmission of a well defined vector-phytoplasma-plant system. Euscelidius variegatus is a known vector of flavescence dorée, a phytoplasma disease of grapevine. The biology of the disease and the transmission cycle of this insect have been well defined and recorded. The newly developed PCR method correlated with the transmission cycle of the insect and the saliva test is thus valid to determine the inoculativity of the insect.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Elisabeth Boudon-Padieu
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
transmission/dispersal of plant diseases
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phytoplasma vitis | ||||
| Grapevine yellows phytoplasma | ||||
| Euscelidius variegatus |
