Relationship between climatic and environmental variables and the phytoplasmas detected in Quercus humboldtii in Bogotà, Colombia

Phytoplasmas of 16SrI-B and 16SrVII-A subgroups infect the urban Quercus humboldtii trees in Bogotà, Colombia. A survey allowed to detect the phytoplasma presence in the 93% of sampled trees, in particular in the 55% of these trees the 16SrVII-A phytoplasmas were detected, in the 37% the 16SrI-B phytoplasmas were present, while the 8% resulted harboring both phytoplasmas. All the studied trees were positive by nested PCR or had unambiguous symptoms. No patterns of distribution of the detected phytoplasma subgroups correlated with ranges of climatic and environmental variables. The insects that are possible phytoplasma vectors presented greater abundance in the trees of the urban parks, with respect to those of separators of the streets.