First report of a phytoplasma associated with Spondias purpurea (Jocote de Corona) in El Salvador

Abstract

A new disease of the fruit tree Jocote de Corona (Spondias purpurea L.) was observed in El Salvador, Central America. The symptoms included small chlorotic leaves, highly proliferating shoots, and shortened internodes. Absence of sweet pulp in fruits made them inedible, causing considerable yield losses for farmers. The disease etiology was investigated using polymerase chain reaction with phytoplasma-specific primers, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. We obtained no amplification products from symptomless plants, whereas all tests were positive from plants with symptoms. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that this phytoplasma clustered in the 16S rIII group, the type member of which is X-disease phytoplasma. This is the first report of a phytoplasma associated with Jocote de Corona disease in El Salvador and Central America.