Pear decline phytoplasma found on Japanese pear in France
Since autumn 1992, symptoms of pear decline have been observed in experimental and commercial orchards of Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia), in the Southwest of France. In late summer, premature leaf reddening on cv. Kosui and small chlorotic leaves on cv. Shinseiki and Nijieiki were observed. Leaf midribs and major veins were accentuated. Affected trees presented reduced shoot growth and early leaf fall. Molecular studies using PCR and RFLP showed that pear decline phytoplasma (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) was present. This is the first report of pear decline phytoplasma on Japanese pear in France. Among the Japanese cultivar tested, cv. Shinseiki appeared as the most susceptible. It can be recalled that this pathogen had also been observed on Japanese pear in Italy (EPPO RS 95/083).
Sources
Jarausch, W.; Dosba, F. (1995) First report of pear decline phytoplasmas on nashi pears (Pyrus pyrifolia) in France.
Plant Disease, 79(12), p 1250.