Symptomatology and the occurrence of mycoplasma-like organisms disease of statice (Limonium sinuatum) in Alberta, Canada
1994
Chang, K.F. (Tree Nursery and Horticulture Centre, Edmonton, Alberta (Canada)) | Hwang, S.F. | Mirza, M.
New symptoms of witches' broom and axillary shoots in the phylloid floral stems of annual statice (Limonium sinuatum (L.) Mill.), caused by mycoplasma-like organisms (MLOs), were found in Alberta in August 1991. This is the first report of MLOs of statice in the province. MLOs ranged in size from 0.12-0.56 x 0.12-0.51 mig (mean = 0.29 x 0.33 mig). The MLO bodies were mostly spherical, lacked cell walls and were surrounded by single membranes. Six cultivars of statice grown in three locations of the province were surveyed for tolerance to MLOs. The cv. 'Golden Coast' showed the most tolerance to the disease and had the lowest percentage of flower loss. The average incidence of leaf reddening (LR), stunting, flower bunching and witches' broom (WB), and phyllody were 32.2, 11.7, 15.8, and 8.6 %, respectively. The percentage of stunting and WB symptoms increased slowly with time and on a much smaller scale than those of LR. The number of dry weight of flowers of diseased plants were significantly reduced relative to those of healthy ones. MLOs induced distortion of chloroplasts and caused an average of 18.7 % loss of flower production in late summer. The results indicated that the economic impact of this MLOs disease on the floral production of statice could be significant in Alberta
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