Chapter 14 - Diversity, distribution, and status of phytoplasmas diseases in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Phytoplasmas have been reported on diverse plant species in Sri Lanka including palms, sugarcane, vegetables, fruit crops, ornamentals, weeds, and other gramineous hosts. The presence of phytoplasmas and their associated diseases is an emerging threat to agriculture, which leads to substantial yield loss in the country. So far, about 12 plant species have been reported to be associated with phytoplasma infections from Sri Lanka. “Candidatus phytoplasma asteris” the aster yellows group (16SrI), “Candidatus Phytoplasma cynodontis” (16SrXIV), and “Candidatus phytoplasma oryzae” (16SrXI) are among the most prevalent phytoplasma groups. The limited evidence have been reported in sugarcane and coconut in respect to the phytoplasma disease–associated vectors and epidemiological data. No proper management control strategy has been established yet for the identified phytoplasma strains in Sri Lanka. In relation to management of phytoplasma diseases, identification of the reservoir or alternative hosts of phytoplasma and vectors is important. Therefore, a systematic study of the identification and distribution of phytoplasma diseases in different crops and plants required further investigation to get a clear status of phytoplasma diseases in Sri Lanka.