Advances in knowledge about phytoplasma diseases in Argentina

CONCI, L. R.; F.A. GUZMÁN; FERNÁNDEZ, F; E. GALDEANO; PEREZ GROSSO, T; SAAVEDRA PONS, A; L.E. TORRES; MENEGUZZI, N.G

Lisboa

Workshop; COST ACTION FA0807 FINAL MEETING; 2013

Two well defined situations can be seen in Argentina as regards the presence of phytoplasmas, similar to what is reported in several other Countries. On one hand, plant species that develop symptoms of infection sporadically, and with low frequency. In such situation only the pathogen characterization can be performed and eventually maintain them under controlled conditions on experimental plant hosts. On the other hand, there are other situations in which systematically affected plants are found in the crop, and it is possible to study the pathogen involved, identify insect vectors, establish the disease incidence, the losses and the cycle of the disease. Currently the work team is focused on detection and molecular characterization of new phytoplasmas; identification of different species of Hemiptera vectors and the components involved in the transmission; epidemiological studies of phytoplasmas diseases in different crops; study of proteins potentially involved in host-pathogen interaction.