First report of association of a 16SrII group phytoplasma with a witches'broom disease of Croton bonplandianum

The diseases associated with peanut witches’ broom phytoplasmas are observed in several legume crops and weed species with typical phyllody and witches’ broom symptoms. The presence of a phytoplasma strains belonging to 16SrII-D subgroup is reported in the common Indian weed Croton bonplandianum showing witches’ broom and phyllody. C. bonplandianum is producing widespread infestations in agriculture fields and barren lands and then pose a serious threat as possible secondary host of this phytoplasma. This is the first identification of a ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma australasia’-related strains in C. bonplandianum showing witches’ broom symptoms.