Abstract
An island wide survey carried over 18 months across 79 tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum L.) plantations in 30 localities on 12 varieties revealed that symptoms related to phytoplasma-associated diseases are widespread in this species in Mauritius. Typical witches, broom and stunting and/or yellowing were observed in 74.6 % of fields visited. Phytoplasmas belonging to three groups: stolbur (16SrXII), aster yellows (16SrI) and elm yellows (16SrV) were identified in tomato leaf and fruit samples by nested-PCR assays followed by RFLP and/or sequencing analyses. Mixed phytoplasma and virus infections (PVY, TYLCV) were detected in 28.8 % of symptomatic sample tested. Survey results indicate a widespread distribution of all identified phytoplasmas across local tomato plantations (pathogens were detected in 8 out of 9 districts) irrespective of the variety grown. Use of insect-proof nets for seedling production, avoid re-planting a new tomato crop in the vicinity of phytoplasma infected ones and uprooting of symptomatic plants are the recommended measures to reduce the pathogen dissemination and resulted to be effective in reducing the pathogen presence in the Country.
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