Statice witches' broom, a Macrosteles striifrons-borne phytoplasma disease

摘要

Diseases of statice (Limonium sinuatum), causing symptoms including dwarfing, yellowing and witches' broom, occurred at Chiba and Saga Prefectures during the autumn of 1996. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of numerous phytoplasma particles in the sieve tubes in diseased plants. In transmission tests using Macrosteles striifrons and Scleroracus flavopictus, M. striifrons transmitted the phytoplasma agent. Host range of the two phytoplasma isolates was similar.