B. O. Been

The Lethal Yellowing (16SrIV) Group of Phytoplasmas

ABSTRACT

Lethal yellowing (LY) is the single most important threat to world coconut palm production. Molecular based tools, and sensitivedetection procedures developed over the past decade have permitted great advances in the detection and characterization of the LY phytoplasma. The practice of RFLP analyses of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA sequences with selected restriction endonucleases has resultedin the accurate identification of different strains of the LY group of phytoplasmas associated with plants and insects. The LY phytoplasmasare currently classified as members of the 16SrIV group of phytoplasmas. This progress has facilitated studies on the epidemiology of LY phytoplasma-associated diseases and has made it possible to study LY phytoplasma ecology in greater detail. Here we present anoverview of the current status of the LY disease, with emphasis on its geographical distribution, socio-economic impact, vector status,methods of control as well as current advances that have been made in the past decade in the characterization of this group.

Date
2022
Data type
Scientific article
Theme
Research and monitoring
Journal
Geographic location
St. Maarten