First report of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri’ in Lebanon
In October 2005 and 2006, symptoms of pear decline were observed in commercial orchards (Pyrus communis cvs. ‘California’ and ‘Coscia’) in the western, central and northern Bekaa Valley, in Lebanon. Affected plants showed premature reddening and upward rolling of the leaves; in some cases, premature defoliation and reduced shoot growth were also observed. Samples were collected from 31 symptomatic and 2 asymptomatic pear trees. Molecular tests (PCR with different sets of primers) confirmed the presence of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri’ (EPPO A2 List) in the majority of symptomatic samples (51%). This is the first report of pear decline in Lebanon.
The situation of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri’ in Lebanon can be described as follows: Present, first reported in 2007 in the Bekaa Valley.
Sources
Choueiri E, Salar P, Jreijiri F, El Zammar S, Danet JL, Foissac X (2007) First report and characterization of pear decline phytoplasma on pear in Lebanon. Journal of Plant Pathology 89(3) Supplement, S69.