Tropicsafe project: Detection and management of lethal yellowing and grapevine yellows diseases in partner countries

The confirmation of the presence of 16SrXXII-B phytoplasmas associated with coconut lethal yellowing disease in Ghana and of 16SrIV in the Caribbean (Jamaica, Cuba, and Mexico) were the basis to study alternative plant species and potential insect vectors of this economically relevant disease carried out by the TROPICSAFE project started in 2017. In South Africa grapevine yellows disease associated with ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’, (subgroup 16SrI-B) and transmitted by the leafhopper Mgenia fuscovaria was studied in its main epidemiological aspects that are relevant to its management. In Chile and in Italy phytoplasmas belonging to diverse ribosomal subgroups and several alternative host plants were detected. Some insect species have been described as phytoplasma vectors or potential vectors in grapevine or in vineyard environments.