Transmission of root (wilt) disease to coconut seedlings through Stephanitis typica (Distant)(Heteroptera: Tingidae.

Abstract

Root tissues treated with Dienes's stain, DAPI and Hoechst 33258 fluorochromes indicated mycoplasma-like organisms (MLO) infection in the phloem. Electron microscope examination of ultra thin sections of root apexes of all the seedlings revealed the presence of mycoplasma-like organisms in the sieve tubes. Of the four seedlings to which MLOs were transmitted by the tingids, two developed flaccidity of leaflets, the diagnostic and decisive symptom of the disease, eight months after infection was indicated by serodiagnosis