Abstract
Abstract The very slow-growing gram-negative bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa, inhabits the xylem and is vector-borne. It causes several diseases in plants, including plum leaf scald (PLS), which is the main limiting factor over the years for the crop expansion, both in productivity and in cultivation areas in Brazil. There is little information about the management and control of the disease. Brazilian breeding programs of plum trees have launched few resistant cultivars. The aim of this work was to carry out a systematic review with current information regarding PLS, characteristics of the causative agent, symptoms, transmission/dissemination, control and prevention. The use of certified propagation material, free from bacteria and the elimination of infected plants are the main measures used in Brazil. The vast majority of commercial cultivars are highly susceptible to bacteria and only few cultivars of interest have any resistance. In 2017 the Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Company of Santa Catarina launched the ‘Zafira’ plum cultivar, the first cultivar for commercial purposes that is not naturally infected; however, it was observed that the transmission of the bacteria occurs by grafting. The Institute of Rural Development of Paraná IAPAR-EMATER evaluated different plum crosses and concluded that the ‘PR-1095’ genotype was the most resistant and did not show any foliar symptoms of the disease. However, the PCR test revealed the presence of the bacteria, indicating that the genotype is probably tolerant. In contrast, ‘PR 1142’, ‘PR 1149’ and ‘PR 1260’ genotypes do not show symptoms or the presence of the bacteria by PCR, resulting in resistance to the disease. These genotypes have not been released, and further studies are still needed.
Highlights
Causative agent characteristicsPlum cultivation (Prunus salicina Lindl.) has significant economic importance in Brazil, especially in the southern states of the country due to favorable climatic conditions for the crop development
This characterizes a deficit market, indicating good potential for the crop expansion in Brazil (EIDAM, PAVANELLO, AYUB, 2012); the main limiting factor over the years for the crop expansion, both in productivity and in cultivation areas in the country, is the Plum Leaf Scald (PLS), a disease caused by gramnegative bacterium Xylella fastidiosa subsp. multiplex Wells (SCHNEIDER; DE AZEVEDO FILHO, 2014)
plum leaf scald (PLS) is characterized as a disease of rapid spread both between and within orchards, and even more contagious than Citrus Variegated Chlorosis (CVC), due to the reduced size of plum orchards compared to citrus areas
Summary
Plum cultivation (Prunus salicina Lindl.) has significant economic importance in Brazil, especially in the southern states of the country due to favorable climatic conditions for the crop development. Plum ranks 3rd in Brazilian imports of temperate climate fruits, mainly from Argentina (47.3%), Spain (25.0%) and Chile (21.3%) (FAO, 2018) This characterizes a deficit market, indicating good potential for the crop expansion in Brazil (EIDAM, PAVANELLO, AYUB, 2012); the main limiting factor over the years for the crop expansion, both in productivity and in cultivation areas in the country, is the Plum Leaf Scald (PLS), a disease caused by gramnegative bacterium Xylella fastidiosa subsp. The bacterium spreads in the host and, depending on the susceptibility of the cultivar, the entire plant dries up (Figure 4) (MAY DE MIO; GARRIDO; UENO, 2004) Other factors, such as water stress, excessive fruit production, damage caused by agricultural machinery in roots and in the plant’s own senescence, increase the disease severity (HOPKINS; PURCELL, 2002). PLS is characterized as a disease of rapid spread both between and within orchards, and even more contagious than Citrus Variegated Chlorosis (CVC), due to the reduced size of plum orchards compared to citrus areas
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
