Identification of potential leafhoppers vectors of phytoplasmas (16SrIII group) associated with broccoli stunt disease in Brazil

Author(s)

Eckstein, B. ^[1] ; Barbosa, J. C. ^[2] ; Kreyci, P. F. ^[3] ; Zanol, K. M. R. ^[4] ; Coelho, L. B. N. ^[5] ; Goncalves, A. C. S. M. L. ^[6] ; Brunelli, K. R. ^[7] ; Lopes, J. R. S. ^[8] ; Bedendo, I. P. ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Embrapa Recursos Genet Biotecnol, BR-70770917 Brasilia, DF - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Ponta Grossa, Dept Fitotecnia & Fitossanidade, BR-84030900 Ponta Grossa, Parana - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Fitopatol & Nematol, BR-13418900 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Parana, Dept Zool, BR-81531980 Curitiba, Parana - Brazil

^[5] Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Biol, Dept Zool, BR-21941971 Rio De Janeiro - Brazil

^[6] Univ Illinois, Prairie Res Inst, Illinois Nat Hist Survey, Champaign, IL 61820 - USA

^[7] Sakata Seed Sudamer Ltda, BR-12906840 Braganca Paulista, SP - Brazil

^[8] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Entomol & Acaral, BR-13418900 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: AUSTRALASIAN PLANT PATHOLOGY; v. 43, n. 4, p. 459-463, JUL 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

Recently, disease in broccoli plants (Brassica oleracea var. italica) was associated with three distinct phytoplasmas in Brazil. The disease named broccoli stunt (BS) has caused significant economic losses in So Paulo State. Group 16SrIII phytoplasmas is the most common group that have been associated with BS. The BS disease is still poorly understood, and the lack of information about the vectors further impairs its management. In this study, leafhoppers belonging to 18 different species were collected from weeds thriving near broccoli fields that were affected by group 16SrIII phytoplasmas. Specific primers revealed the presence of group 16SrIII phytoplasmas in five leafhoppers: Empoasca spp., Agallia albidula Uhler, Agalliana sticticollis (StAyenl), Planicephalus flavicosta (StAyenl), and Atanus nitidus (Linnavuori). The identity of the phytoplasmas was confirmed through DNA sequencing analysis. The leafhoppers were infected by phytoplasmas of the 16SrIII group (proposed ``Candidatus Phytoplasma pruni{''} species) and are phylogenetically related to the broccoli stunt phytoplasma (BSP) strains detected in the study area and, thus, are considered potential vectors of group 16SrIII phytoplasmas to broccoli plants. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/58450-3 - Broccolo stunt: identification of phytoplasmas, insect vectors and alternative hosts and epidemiology of the disease
• Grantee: Bárbara Eckstein
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate