Diversity of Phytoplasmas in Cuba, Their Geographic Isolation and Potential Development of Management Strategies

Abstract

Phytoplasmas (‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’) are plant pathogens associated with important economic losses in crop production around the world. Similarly to most tropical countries, Cuba is seriously affected by plant diseases associated with phytoplasmas and few management strategies are available to growers to control the pathogens. In this chapter, we describe phytoplasma diseases caused by infection of single or multiple strains of phytoplasmas and affecting three economically important crop plants of Cuba, sapodilla (Manilkara zapota L. (Sapotaceae), soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr., Fabaceae) and papaya (Carica papaya L., Caricaeae). Geographical distribution and high diversity of phytoplasma strains and their potential insect vectors are discussed. Based on available data, research avenues in epidemiology and management of phytoplasma diseases affecting Cuban crops are suggested.