Detection of Phytoplasma on Indian Fig. (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) in Mexico Central Region

Ricardo Hernandez-,Norma `Flores-Es,Pedro Mata,Ricardo Gaspar,Juan Carlos Noa-Carraz

doi:10.3844/ojbsci.2009.62.66

Abstract

Problem statement: The Indian fig (a species of prickly pear cactus), has been known as Nopal, comprises an approximate area of 100,000 ha, in plantations used for human consumption. Pyramids Indian fig area located in the northeast ern State of Mexico has been an important Indian- fig area in the country, with 15810 ha, where a phy toplasma has been consistently present in symptomatic plant. Approach: An unknown symptomatology in the Indian fig (prickly pear cactus) (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) was analyzed through grafting and a nested-PC R reaction and graft on healthy plants grown in a greenhouse. Results: The symptoms found, deforming, buds proliferation, thickening and heart-shaping in cladodes, with arre sted plant growth and deep yellowing of cladodes, were all attributed to the presence of a phytoplasm a given the amplification of a 1200 pb fragment of the 16S rRNA gene using primers R16 F2/R2 and R16F2n/R2 and 80% of phytoplasma transmission efficiency of successful grafts. Conclusion: Although the symptoms observed did not completely match those described for this organism in the regi on, a 1200 pb fragment was amplified and PCR products restriction analysis leading us to assume that the phytoplasma corresponds to subgroup 16Srll , previously reported for other crops in others world regions.

Highlights

IntroductionThe Indian fig (a species of prickly pear cactus), known as Nopal, nochtli or nopalli and “tuna” in Cuba (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) is endemic of America, with 258 known species, 57 of which are distributed in Mexico
The Indian fig, known as Nopal, nochtli or nopalli and “tuna” in Cuba (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) is endemic of America, with 258 known species, 57 of which are distributed in Mexico
Description of symptoms associated to phytoplasma in the field: 1 ha of Nopal production area was random tested in Saint Martin Pyramids (State of Mexico) to found disease disorder responsible for fig wilt disease (Fig. 1)

Summary

Introduction

The Indian fig (a species of prickly pear cactus), known as Nopal, nochtli or nopalli and “tuna” in Cuba (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) is endemic of America, with 258 known species, 57 of which are distributed in Mexico. This cactus comprises an approximate area of 100 000 ha, in plantations used for human consumption[13]. The nopal has been used in Mexico as forage, the nopal-vegetable system, provides about 240,000 tonnes of fresh salad food all over the year and is based on the use of approximately 3 million tons of cattle manure[19]. The “Pyramids” Indian fig area located in the northeastern State of Mexico, with over 808 km, is home to some 212,029 inhabitants and is the most important Indian-fig area in the country, with 15,810 ha of prickle-pear cactus, 428 ha of “nopalito” cactus and 1350 ha of “xoconostle” cactus[23].

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Conclusion