Plant Pathology (2006) 55, 25-28

S. Srivastava, V. Singh, P.S. Gupta, O.K. Sinha and A. Baitha (2006)
Nested PCR assay for detection of Sugarcane grassy shoot phytoplasma in the leafhopper vector Deltocephalus vulgaris: a first report
Plant Pathology 55 (1), 25-28
Abstract: Nymphs of Deltocephalus vulgaris, the leafhopper vector of sugarcane grassy shoot (SCGS) disease, fed on SCGS-infected and healthy sugarcane leaves, and SCGS-infected and healthy plant tissue of sugarcane cv. CoLk 8102, were examined by nested PCR using phytoplasma-specific rRNA operon primers for detection of the SCGS phytoplasma. Samples of SCGS-infected plants with symptoms and SCGS-exposed D. vulgaris nymphs yielded SCGS-exclusive DNA bands when nested PCR was performed. Negative results were obtained when symptomless plant host and unexposed insect vector samples devoid of phytoplasma DNA templates were used. Such a reliable molecular tool for the precise detection of SCGS phytoplasma in the D. vulgaris population would help forecast the potential of secondary spread of SCGS in a susceptible sugarcane variety, and may facilitate control of the disease.
(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): Arun Baitha

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
transmission/dispersal of plant diseases

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Phytoplasma sacchari	Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum)
	Deltocephalus vulgaris