Our understanding about phytoplasma research scenario in India

Multilocus gene analysis reveals the presence of two phytoplasma groups in Impatiens balsamina showing flat stem and phyllody

“…In India, six major phytoplasma groups (16SrI,16SrII,16SrVI,16SrIX,16SrXI,and 16SrXIV) have been identified associated with 34 ornamental plants including rose, chrysanthemum, phlox, petunias, marigold, gladiolus, mussaenda, straw flower, etc. (Madhupriya and Rao 2017;Taloh et al 2020;Ranebennur et al 2020;Rao 2021). The occurrence of 16SrI-D and 16SrV-B subgroups of phytoplasma in I. balsamina has been reported earlier from China (Chang et al 2011;Li et al 2011Li et al , 2014.…”

“…The 16SrI-B and 16SrII-D subgroup, reported in rose balsam and weeds have already been reported as a major widespread phytoplasma strains infecting several important crops viz. vegetables, fruits, ornamentals, legumes, and spices in India (Kumar et al 2017;Mitra et al 2019;Rao et al 2019;Panda et al 2020;Rihne et al 2020;Rao 2021). This study also suggested the role of S. verticillata and C. sativa weeds growing around the I. balsamina nurseries in Gorakhpur and Faizabad locations which may act as a natural host reservoir for the transmission of 16SrII-D phytoplasmas.…”

“…Since the rose balsam is an important seasonal ornamental crop being grown in all parts of the country, the reported phytoplasma weed hosts may facilitate transmission of phytoplasma strains associated with rose balsam to other crops with help of leafhoppers in the country. Different species of leafhoppers (Hishimonus phycitis, Orosius albicinctus, Amarasca bigutella, Empoasca motti) are already identified as putative or natural vectors of phytoplasma strains belonging to 16SrI-B and II-D subgroups in India (Rao 2021) and may play significant role in transmission of rose balsam phytoplasma strains to other important agricultural crops. The scenario of wider natural spread of phytoplasma strains 16SrI-B and 16SrII-D infecting several crop species in India may pose a serious threat for other agriculturally important plants grown nearby rose balsam flower nurseries and thus have a great epidemiological significance.…”

Characterization of a novel strain of Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia infecting cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) based on 16S rDNA sequence analysis

“…Phytoplasma asteris) and 16SrXIV-A (Ca. P. cynodontis) from India (Kumar et al 2012;Rao et al 2017a & b;Rao 2021), 16SrVI-A subgroup (Clover Proliferation Group) with similarity coe cient 1.00 from Iran (Kardani and Jamshidi, 2018) and 16SrXIV-A subgroup (Bermuda White Leaf Group) from Iraq (Al-Kuwaiti et al 2019) infecting cowpea have been reported. The 16SrXII-B strain of 'Ca.…”

Characterization of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’-related strain association with leaf yellowing of Wrightia antidysenterica (Arctic Snow) in Tripura, India

“…The bark plays a major role in medicine with its characteristic anti-microbial and antiinflammatory properties (Wickramaratne et al 2015). In India, some fungal diseases caused by Sarcinella apocynacearum and Cercospora wrightia are reported which causes leaf spot disease of W. tinctoria (Orwa et al 2009) but no other disease has been reported on this plant.…”