1 research outputs found
Phytoplasma transmission by seed
The transmission of phytoplasmas by seed was reported in several herbaceous
and some woody plant species. The seedlings were usually analyzed for the
presence of phytoplasmas in different stages of growth by nested-PCR/RFLP analysis
and phytoplasmas belonging to different ribosomal groups according with species
and geographical distribution were detected. The phytoplasma isolation from
corn seedlings confirms the seed transmission of viable phytoplasma cells. The sudden
epidemic events associated with the presence of phytoplasmas molecularly
undistinguishable, in very distant geographic areas, on the same herbaceous species,
provides further indications of transmission of these prokaryotes also by seeds.
In all the analysed species, the phytoplasma detected in seedlings belong to different
ribosomal groups, in some cases they are found also in mixed infection. Since
phytoplasma presence is not contemplated in propagation material by the any of the
worldwide plant protection quarantine protocols nor by seed producers, the movement
of seeds from infected plants implies a wide dissemination of the pathogens
and therefore of the associated diseases in still uncontaminated areas