Molecular Detection of Phytoplasma Associated with Yellow Leaf Disease in Areca Palms (Areca catechu) in India

The arecanut palm (Areca catechu L.), Arecaceae family, is one of the most important commercial crops in the world, which yields fruits called arecanut that are used as a medicine and chewing substance (1). Yellow leaf disease (YLD) is one of the most serious diseases in areca palms in India. It reduces the yield as much as 50% over a period of 3 years immediately following disease incidence. Foliar yellowing, the most conspicuous symptom, begins from the inner whorl and spreads to the outer parts of the crown. Chlorosis is observed on almost all leaves in the whorl from edges of the leaflet to the midrib region. Stems become spongy and friable and the conducting strands are destroyed. Microscopic detection is evidence of the association of phytoplasma in YLD-affected areca palms (3). There is no evidence for molecular level detection of phytoplasma in YLD-affected palms. To prove the phytoplasma association in YLD-affected palms in India, samples (inflorescence, spindle leaf, mature leaf, and root) were ...