Phytopathology (2010) 100, 805-813

Elisa Gamalero, Romina D'Amelio, Chiara Musso, Simone Cantamessa, Barbara Pivato, Giovanni D'Agostino, Jin Duan, Domenico Bosco, Domenico Marzachì and Graziella Berta (2010)
Effects of Pseudomonas putida S1Pf1Rif against Chrysanthemum yellows phytoplasma infection
Phytopathology 100 (8), 805-813
Abstract: Phytoplasmas cause damage on a number of plant species leading to relevant economical loss. Up to now, strategies to limit their spread led to only partial success. In this context, the use of plant-beneficial bacteria to control phytoplasmas has never been explored. The aim of this work was to assess the effect of Pseudomonas putida S1Pf1Rif against chrysanthemum yellows phytoplasma (CYP) infection of daisy. Plant biomass, root architecture, symptom severity, phytoplasma titer, and viability were evaluated in inoculated and control plants. CYP reduced plant growth and root development. Although the phytoplasma titer in young apical leaves was not affected by inoculation with S1Pf1Rif, the pseudomonad improved plant growth of CYP-infected plants. Whereas CYP titer increased over time in uninoculated plants, its viability decreased, regardless of the presence of P. putida S1Pf1Rif. Finally, phytoplasma cells in fully developed leaves of CYP-infected plants inoculated with S1Pf1Rif often appeared degenerated. Overall, our results indicate that P. putida S1Pf1Rif is able to alleviate the disease, although it does not affect the presence of viable phytoplasmas in young, developing leaves of the infected plants.
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Database assignments for author(s): Domenico Bosco

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Chrysanthemum yellows phytoplasma
Pseudomonas putida (antagonist)	Chrysanthemum yellows phytoplasma