Pine witches' broom - Candidatus Phytoplasma pini 16SrXXI-A
Effective: April 2, 2013 - December 31, 2017
Taxonomic Position: Acholeplasmatales : Acholeplasmataceae
Pest Type: Phytoplasma
Pest Code (NAPIS): FEALMJZ
This pest is a member of the following surveys: Pine
These Approved Methods are appropriate for: 2017, 2016, 2015
Pest Information
CAPS Pest Datasheet: https://download.ceris.purdue.edu/file/2980
Pest Tracker: https://pesttracker.org/pest/FEALMJZ
Pest is vectored by:
Although there is a suspected vector, the vector is unknown at this time.
Survey
Approved Method(s)
| Method | Detail | NAPIS Survey Method |
|---|---|---|
| Visual | Collect tissue from symptomatic host species (especially those exhibiting a combination of symptoms indicated below) | 3031 - General Visual Observation |
Method Notes:
For FY 2014 and 2015 surveys: Follow instructions in Phytoplasma sample submission for Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Program and Farm Bill Goal 1 surveys FY 2014 and 2015
For FY2016 surveys: Follow instructions in Phytoplasma sample submission for Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Program and Farm Bill Goal 1 surveys FY 2016
For FY2017 surveys: Follow instructions in Phytoplasma sample submission for Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Program and Farm Bill Goal 1 surveys FY 2017
If you have taken the hands-on phytoplasma specific training at CPHST Beltsville, you can screen your own phytoplasma samples. Note: You will still have to follow the protocol in the linked document for confirmations.
For FY2016 surveys: Follow instructions in Phytoplasma sample submission for Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Program and Farm Bill Goal 1 surveys FY 2016
For FY2017 surveys: Follow instructions in Phytoplasma sample submission for Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Program and Farm Bill Goal 1 surveys FY 2017
If you have taken the hands-on phytoplasma specific training at CPHST Beltsville, you can screen your own phytoplasma samples. Note: You will still have to follow the protocol in the linked document for confirmations.
Survey Recommendations
The following are recommendations for executing the survey using the approved methods for pest surveillance. The recommendations are developed through literature review and consultation with subject matter experts.
Signs:
No specific signs are present.
Symptoms:
"Ca. Phytoplasma pini" causes a range of symptoms on several hosts, including: yellowing, dwarfing/stunting, twisted needles ("form dense ball-like structures"), prolific branching / proliferation of small shoots/twigs (i.e., witches" broom), and little leaves (Schneider et al., 2005).
In Taxodium ascendens (pond cypress), the phytoplasma is causing necrotic little leaves, twig necrosis, and overall plant necrosis (tissue death) (Huang et al, 2011).
In Picea (spruce) spp: Shoot and needle malformation and stunted growth are the main symptoms observed (Kaminska and Berniak, (2011).
In Abies (fir) and Tsuga (hemlock) spp: Witches" brooming and needle discoloration are the primary symptoms associated with the disease (Kaminska et al., 2011).
Some hosts will not show symptoms.
In Taxodium ascendens (pond cypress), the phytoplasma is causing necrotic little leaves, twig necrosis, and overall plant necrosis (tissue death) (Huang et al, 2011).
In Picea (spruce) spp: Shoot and needle malformation and stunted growth are the main symptoms observed (Kaminska and Berniak, (2011).
In Abies (fir) and Tsuga (hemlock) spp: Witches" brooming and needle discoloration are the primary symptoms associated with the disease (Kaminska et al., 2011).
Some hosts will not show symptoms.
Key Diagnostic or Identification
Approved Method(s)
ID/Diagnostic:
Molecular: For FY 2014 and 2015 surveys: Follow instructions in Phytoplasma sample submission for Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Program and Farm Bill Goal 1 surveys FY 2014 and 2015
For FY2016 surveys: Follow instructions in Phytoplasma sample submission for Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Program and Farm Bill Goal 1 surveys FY 2016
For FY2017 surveys: Follow instructions in Phytoplasma sample submission for Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Program and Farm Bill Goal 1 surveys FY 2017
If you have taken the hands-on phytoplasma specific training at CPHST Beltsville, you can screen your own phytoplasma samples. Note: You will still have to follow the protocol in the linked document for confirmations.
For FY2016 surveys: Follow instructions in Phytoplasma sample submission for Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Program and Farm Bill Goal 1 surveys FY 2016
For FY2017 surveys: Follow instructions in Phytoplasma sample submission for Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Program and Farm Bill Goal 1 surveys FY 2017
If you have taken the hands-on phytoplasma specific training at CPHST Beltsville, you can screen your own phytoplasma samples. Note: You will still have to follow the protocol in the linked document for confirmations.
Mistaken Identities:
At least two other phytoplasmas are known to infect Picea spp. with witches" broom symptoms. These are "Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris" and the X-disease phytoplasma group (Kaminska and Berniak, 2011).
Sliwa et al. (2008) tested several pines with typical visual symptoms of "Ca. P. pini" infection that ended up having no presence of phytoplasma. This suggests there are other causes of ball-like structures and witches" broom symptoms in pine trees or that there is uneven distribution of the phytoplasma in the pine trees.
Sliwa et al. (2008) tested several pines with typical visual symptoms of "Ca. P. pini" infection that ended up having no presence of phytoplasma. This suggests there are other causes of ball-like structures and witches" broom symptoms in pine trees or that there is uneven distribution of the phytoplasma in the pine trees.
Notes:
This phytoplasma was first described as a discrete taxon in 2005 by Schneider et al. in Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine) and P. halepensis (Aleppo pine).
Recent papers expands the host range considerably (but mostly still within the pines): Abies procera (noble fir), Picea pungens (Colorado blue spruce), Pinus banksiana (Jack pine), P. mugo (mountain or mugo pine), P. nigra (European black pine), P. sylvestris (Scots pine), P. tabuliformis (Chinese pine), Tsuga canadensis (Eastern or Canadian Hemlock), and Taxodium distichum var. imbricarium (pond cypress) (Huang et al., 2011; Kaminska and Berniak, 2011; Kaminska et al., 2011).
Recent papers expands the host range considerably (but mostly still within the pines): Abies procera (noble fir), Picea pungens (Colorado blue spruce), Pinus banksiana (Jack pine), P. mugo (mountain or mugo pine), P. nigra (European black pine), P. sylvestris (Scots pine), P. tabuliformis (Chinese pine), Tsuga canadensis (Eastern or Canadian Hemlock), and Taxodium distichum var. imbricarium (pond cypress) (Huang et al., 2011; Kaminska and Berniak, 2011; Kaminska et al., 2011).
References
- Huang, S., Tiwari, A.K., and Rao, G.P. 2011. 'Candidatus Phytoplasma pini' affecting Taxodium distichum var. imbricarium in China [Abstract]. Phytopathogenic Mollicutes 1(2): 91-94.
- Kaminska, M., and Berniak, H. 2011. Detection and identification of three 'Candidatus Phytoplasma' species in Picea spp. trees in Poland. J. Phytopathol. 159: (11-12): 796-798. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0434.2011.01842.x.
- Kaminska, M., Berniak, H., and Obdrzalek, J. 2011. New natural host plants of Candidatus Phytoplasma pini' in Poland and the Czech Republic. Plant Pathology 60: 1023-1029.
- Schneider, B., Torres, E., Martín, M. P., Schröder, M., Behnke, H.-D., and Seemüller, E. 2005. 'Candidatus Phytoplasma pini', a novel taxon from Pinus silvestris and Pinus halepensis. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 55: 303-307
- Sliwa, H., Kaminska, M., Korszun, S., and Adler, P. 2008. Detection of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma pini' in Pinus sylvestris trees in Poland. Journal of Phytopathology 156(2):
If you are unable to find a reference, contact STCAPS@usda.gov. See the CAPS Pest Datasheet for all references.