First report of phytoplasma associated with Eucalyptus urophylla showing witches’ broom in Brazil Neves de Souza Adriana1, Leão de Carvalho Silvia1, Nascimento da Silva Fábio1, Alfenas Acelino Couto1, Zauza Edival A. Valverde2, Carvalho Claudine M.1,* 1Departamento de Fitoptologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil 2Suzano Papel e Celulose, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil *Corresponding author e-mail: Claudine Márcia Carvalho (Claudine.carvalho@ufv.br)
Online published on 2 January, 2015. Abstract Eucalyptus production is of great importance to Brazil's economy. Diseases affecting the growth and the architecture of these trees lead to large losses in yield and quality of the wood. The occurrence of eucalyptus trees showing witches’ broom and little leaf symptoms in different areas of Brazil is affecting seedling production. In this work, a phytoplasma was found associated with these symptomatic plants and was identified as belonging to the 16SrII group. This is the first report of a phytoplasma associated with eucalyptus in Brazil. Top Keywords ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’, little leaf disease, 16SrII group, eucalyptus, witches’ broom. Top |