Practical use of DNA probes for the detection of lethal yellowing of Cocos nucifera L. in México

Abstract

Lethal yellowing (LY) is a fatal disease of palms [5], and is believed to be caused by a mycoplasmalike organism (MLO) [1,4, 6]. Harrison et al. [3] isolated and cloned fragments of LY-MLO DNA from palms affected by the disease in Florida and used them as diagnostic probes. These probes have since proved useful for the detection of the LY pathogen in affected palms in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico [2]. LY is a disease that presently cannot be controlled, but measures, such as quarantine, may be taken to reduce its rate of spread (Been, this volume). Effective quarantine requires a constant evaluation of the geographic occurrence of the disease. To achieve this, a reliable diagnostic method is required. This paper reports the detection of LY in symptomatic and symptomless coconut palms (Cocos nucifera L.) using a DNA probe, and also reports the use of this technique as a tool for monitoring the spread of LY in the Yucatan Peninsula.