Molecular and biological characterization of phytoplasmas from coconut palms affected by the lethal yellowing disease in Africa

Contaldo, Nicoletta; D’Amico, Gianfranco; Paltrinieri, Samanta; Diallo, Hortense Atta; Bertaccini, Assunta; Rosete, Yaima Arocha

doi:10.1016/j.micres.2019.03.011

Cited by 19 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 22 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Molecular tools such as PCR/RFLP and nested-PCR on 16S rDNA were developed and established to ascertain a standard and reliable system of identification and classification of phytoplasmas in ribosomal groups and subgroups obtained by RFLP and/or virtual RFLP analyses of the 16S ribosomal gene amplicon or sequence with a number of restriction enzymes (Lee et al, 1998a; Zhao et al, 2009). Since they were only recently cultured (Contaldo et al, 2012, 2016, 2019), biological i.e., classical methods for classification are not available as yet. Currently, phytoplasmas are categorized into 33 ribosomal groups comprising a number of subgroups each (Bertaccini and Lee, 2018).…”

Section: Phytoplasma Taxonomymentioning

confidence: 99%

Global Status of Phytoplasma Diseases in Vegetable Crops

et al. 2019

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The presence of phytoplasmas and their associated diseases is an emerging threat to vegetable production which leads to severe yield losses worldwide. Phytoplasmas are phloem-limited pleomorphic bacteria lacking the cell wall, mainly transmitted through leafhoppers but also by plant propagation materials and seeds. Phytoplasma diseases of vegetable crops are characterized by symptoms such as little leaves, phyllody, flower virescence, big buds, and witches’ brooms. Phytoplasmas enclosed in at least sixteen different ribosomal groups infecting vegetable crops have been reported thus far across the world. The aster yellows phytoplasma group (16SrI) is presently the prevalent, followed by the peanut witches’ broom (16SrII). Wide and overlapping crop and non-crop host ranges of phytoplasmas, polyphagous insect vectors, limited availability of resistance sources and unavailability of environmentally safe chemical control measures lead to an arduous effort in the management of these diseases. The most feasible control of vegetable phytoplasma diseases is a consequence of the development and implementation of integrated disease management programs. The availability of molecular tools for phytoplasma identification at the strain level greatly facilitated this kind of approach. It is moreover essential to understand the molecular basis of phytoplasma-vector interaction, epidemiology and other factors involved in disease development in order to reduce the disease outbreaks. Information on the knowledge about the most widespread phytoplasma diseases in vegetable crops is reviewed here in a comprehensive manner.

show abstract

Section: Phytoplasma Taxonomymentioning

confidence: 99%

Global Status of Phytoplasma Diseases in Vegetable Crops

et al. 2019

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Their discovery stimulated worldwide investigation and numerous plant diseases were associated with the consistent presence of MLOs. These bacteria were long considered unculturable, but about 10 years ago, colonies containing molecularly different phytoplasmas began to be obtained in artificial media from different infected plant species ( Figure 2 ) [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”

Section: Phytoplasma Discoverymentioning

confidence: 99%

Plants and Phytoplasmas: When Bacteria Modify Plants

Bertaccini

2022

Plants

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Plant pathogen presence is very dangerous for agricultural ecosystems and causes huge economic losses. Phytoplasmas are insect-transmitted wall-less bacteria living in plants, only in the phloem tissues and in the emolymph of their insect vectors. They are able to manipulate several metabolic pathways of their hosts, very often without impairing their life. The molecular diversity described (49 ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’ species and about 300 ribosomal subgroups) is only in some cases related to their associated symptomatology. As for the other plant pathogens, it is necessary to verify their identity and recognize the symptoms associated with their presence to appropriately manage the diseases. However, the never-ending mechanism of patho-adaptation and the copresence of other pathogens makes this management difficult. Reducing the huge impact of phytoplasma-associated diseases in all the main crops and wild species is, however, relevant, in order to reduce their effects that are jeopardizing plant biodiversity.

show abstract

“…A preliminary evaluation of the in vitro antimicrobial activity in phytoplasma colonies ( Figure 2 ) was performed using seven antibiotics against two phytoplasma isolates from coconut plants infected by lethal yellowing disease [ 31 , 32 ]. The standard disc diffusion method was employed using a selection of the antibiotics previously demonstrated able to reduce the phytoplasma presence in micropropatated shoots [ 30 ].…”

Section: Antibioticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Containment of Phytoplasma-Associated Plant Diseases by Antibiotics and Other Antimicrobial Molecules

Bertaccini

2021

Antibiotics

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Phytoplasmas are plant-pathogenic bacteria that infect many important crops and environmentally relevant plant species, causing serious economic and environmental losses worldwide. These bacteria, lacking a cell wall, are sensitive to antibiotics such as tetracyclines that affect protein synthesis mechanisms. Phytoplasma cultivation in axenic media has not been achieved for many strains; thus, the screening of antimicrobials must be performed using mainly in vivo materials. Some studies have investigated using in vitro phytoplasma-infected shoots, and several antimicrobials, including tetracyclines, have been tested. The screening of phytoplasma antimicrobials is important for the sustainable control of phytoplasma-associated diseases. The use of molecules with different modes of action such as ribosome inactivating proteins, plant hormones, and resistance inducers such as plasma-activated water, is advised, to avoid the use of antibiotics in agriculture and the possible emergence of resistant microbial strains.

show abstract

Molecular and biological characterization of phytoplasmas from coconut palms affected by the lethal yellowing disease in Africa

Cited by 19 publications

References 22 publications

Global Status of Phytoplasma Diseases in Vegetable Crops

Global Status of Phytoplasma Diseases in Vegetable Crops

Plants and Phytoplasmas: When Bacteria Modify Plants

Containment of Phytoplasma-Associated Plant Diseases by Antibiotics and Other Antimicrobial Molecules

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About