Confirmation that the novel cercozoa phytocercomonas venanatans is the cause of the disease chlorotic streak in sugarcane

Abstract

A cercomonad, namod Phytocercomonas venanatans, is confirmed as the cause of the sugarcane disease chlorotic streak. This was achieved by establishing aseptic liquid cultures of the pathogen Isolated from internal pieces of sugarcane stalk tissue. Actively motile cultures of the pathogen were inoculated into sugarcane roots, stalks, and leaf whorls. Infected plants subsequently developed the characteristic symptoms of chlorotic streak. Infection was confirmed by PCR screening of plant tissues and by rcisolation of the pathogen into aseptic culture followed by PCR and microscopic confirmation. P. venanaians is the first reported pathogenic cercomonad able to systemically infect higher plants and the first plant pathogenic ccreo7i)an able to be successfully grown in axenic culture on common microbiological media.