First record of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma americanum’ in Ecuador
‘Candidatus Phytoplasma americanum’ (EPPO A1 List) was first recorded in Ecuador in 2020. It was detected in potato (Solanum tuberosum) plants in a commercial field located in Pinchincha province. Infected plants showed symptoms including stunting, purple coloration of new leaves, leaf curling, swollen nodes and aerial tubers. This is also the first record of ‘Ca. P. americanum’ in South America.
The situation of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma americanum’ in Ecuador can be described as follows: Present not widely distributed.
Sources
Carrillo Castillo C, Rivera Varas V, Gill U, Rengifo J, Secor G (2022) ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma americanum’ identification in potatoes showing purple top disease in Ecuador. Phytopathogenic Mollicutes 12(2), 114-118.