Phytoplasmas infecting vegetable, pulse and oil crops

Abstract

The present chapter provides an overview of phytoplasma diseases affecting vegetable, pulse and oil crops, with an emphasis on symptoms, geographic distribution, associated phytoplasma taxa and insect vectors. Phytoplasma diseases of these crops occur worldwide; however, the majority of reports are from North American, European and Asian countries. These diseases affect plant species belonging mostly to Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae and Solanaceae. They differ considerably in geographic distribution and size of the various taxonomic groups and subgroups of the associated phytoplasmas. Subgroup 16SrI-B phytoplasmas are the prevalent agents among the main infected countries. Phytoplasmas of subgroup 16SrXII-A are widely distributed throughout Europe, whereas phytoplasmas of 16SrII group are mainly distributed in Asia and Australia and those of 16SrIII group in South America. A number of diseases are associated with genetically different phytoplasmas that induce similar symptoms in the host plants.