RASSA Journal of Science for Society
  • Year: 2026
  • Volume: 8
  • Issue: 1

Phytoplasma Diseases of Trees: A Comprehensive Review

  • Author:
  • Smriti Mall1,*, Rajarshi Kumar Gaur2, Ragini Vishwakarma1, Carmine Marcone3
  • Total Page Count: 10
  • Page Number: 33 to 42

1Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, Department of Botany, DDU Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur-273009, Uttar Pradesh, India

2Department of Biotechnology, DDU Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur-273009, Uttar Pradesh, India

3Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132 I-84084, Fisciano (Salerno), Italy

*Corresponding Author: smriti.bot@ddugu.ac.in

Abstract

Phytoplasmas are known to infect different kind of fruits and forest trees worldwide including apples, plum, pears, almond, apricot, peach, cherry, mulberry, citrus and paulownia. The most devastating diseases on trees are Apple’s proliferation (AP) disease, Elm yellows, Pear decline, Citrus witches’ broom and mulberry dwarf that causes upto 50 to 80% yield losses in trees globally. This review paper depicts that the Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris, and Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum, are the most diverse phytoplasma groups affecting tree populations. This review article explores various phytoplasma diseases affecting trees worldwide, addressing their distribution, symptomatology, effects and approach towards management. Phytoplasmainfected forest and fruit trees not only lead to economic losses but also disrupts the natural aesthetics of the environment.

Keywords

Trees, Forest, Fruits, Phytoplasma, Worldwide