Identification of Green-Leaf Volatiles Released from Cabbage Palms (<i>Sabal palmetto</i>) Infected with the Lethal Bronzing Phytoplasma
2023
Jordana A. Ferreira | José A. Ramos | Debora R. C. S. Dutra | Brandon Di Lella | Ericka E. Helmick | Sonia C. N. Queiroz | Brian W. Bahder
Lethal bronzing (LB) is a fatal infection that affects over 20 species of palms (Arecaceae) and is caused by the phytoplasma ‘<i>Candidatus</i> Phytoplasma aculeata’. This pathogen causes significant economic losses to landscape and nursery companies in Florida, USA. Recently, the vector was determined to be the planthopper <i>Haplaxius crudus,</i> which was more abundant on LB-infected palms. Herein, the volatile chemicals emitted from LB-infected palms were characterized using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). Infected <i>Sabal palmetto</i> were identified and confirmed as positive for LB via quantitative PCR. Healthy controls of each species were selected for comparison. All infected palms exhibited elevated levels of hexanal and E-2-hexenal. Threatened palms showed high releasing concentrations of 3-hexenal and Z-3-hexen-1-ol. The volatiles characterized herein are common green-leaf volatiles (GLVs) emitted by plants under stress. This study considers the first documented case of GLVs in palms attributed to phytoplasma infection. Due to the apparent attraction of LB-infected palms to the vector, one or several of the GLVs identified in this study could serve as a lure for the vector and supplement management programs.
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