1Department of Plant Pathology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India
2Department of Plant Pathology, Biswanath College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, Biswanath, Assam, India
Sesame phyllody is a very serious and destructive disease associated with phytoplasma presence. Roving survey was done to collect symptomatic samples and insect possible vector of the disease. The phytoplasma presence was detected by PCR in some of the insects and other plant species. The amplicons were sequenced and showed 94% to 98% identity with other phytoplasmas. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the phytoplasma infecting Exitianus indicus is closely related to aster yellows phytoplasma strains indicating this insect as possible new vector of the disease. Plants in eight diverse species resulted also phytoplasmainfected and the phytoplasma identification is in progress.
Sesame phyllody, phytoplasma, transmission, PCR, Exitianus indicus
