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Seasonal detection of pear decline phytoplasma by nested‐PCR in different pear cultivars
Author(s) -
GarciaChapa M.,
Medina V.,
Viruel M. A.,
Laviña A.,
Batlle A.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
plant pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.928
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1365-3059
pISSN - 0032-0862
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-3059.2003.00868.x
Subject(s) - phytoplasma , biology , pear , cultivar , shoot , horticulture , botany , pyrus communis , nested polymerase chain reaction , polymerase chain reaction , restriction fragment length polymorphism , biochemistry , gene
Seasonal detection of pear decline phytoplasma was studied in three pear cultivars: Bartlett, Limonera and Blanquilla. Samples from 43 infected trees were collected monthly over 2 years and analysed by nested PCR. The three cultivars each showed a different pattern of phytoplasma detection. The maximum detection rate of pear decline phytoplasma occurred in December in the three orchards, and it remained high throughout the winter months. In spring, when new buds appeared and sap was produced, the detection rate decreased. Leaf midribs, buds and stems were compared to determine which sample was more reliable for phytoplasma detection. The best indicators were stems. The presence of phytoplasma in sieve tubes during the dormant season was determined by grafting. The results suggest that phytoplasmas could overwinter in shoots, with the implication that vegetative propagation during this period could also disseminate the disease.