‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ detected on tomato and capsicum crops in Mexico
In Mexico, the potato disease called Zebra chip (associated with ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ - EPPO Alert List) was first identified in 1994. It has caused significant economic damage, often leading to abandonment of entire potato fields. Recent studies have showed that ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ was also causing damage to tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and capsicum (Capsicum annuum) crops in Mexico.
- In March 2009, capsicum plants showing symptoms resembling those caused by Bactericera cockerelli (psyllid vector of ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’) were observed in a field in La Cruz de Elota, Sinaloa. Affected plants showed chlorotic or pale green apical growth and leaf cupping, sharp tapering of the leaf apex, shortened internodes, and general stunting. Molecular analysis confirmed the presence of ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ (Munyaneza et al., 2009a).
- In March 2009, plants showing symptoms resembling those of a phytoplasma disease called ‘permanente del tomato’ (permanent yellowing disease) were observed in tomato fields in Sinaloa. It was noted that these symptoms also resembled those caused by ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ in New Zealand. Affected tomato plants showed an overall chlorosis, severe stunting, leaf cupping, purple discoloration of veins, excessive branching of axillary shoots, and leaf scorching. Symptom incidence ranged from 18 to 40%. Samples (8 symptomatic and 5 asymptomatic) were collected from two tomato fields in La Cruz de Elota and Culiacán. Molecular analysis confirmed the presence of ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ (Munyaneza et al., 2009a).
Sources
Munyaneza JE, Sengoda VG, Crosslin JM, Garzón-Tiznado JA, Cardenas-Valenzuela OG (2009a) First report of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ in pepper plants in Mexico. Plant Disease 93(10), p 1076.
Munyaneza JE, Sengoda VG, Crosslin JM, Garzón-Tiznado JA, Cardenas-Valenzuela OG (2009b) First report of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ in tomato plants in Mexico. Plant Disease 93(10), p 1076.