Detection of ‘Candidatus Phythoplasma prunorum’ in Apricot Trees and its Associated Psyllid Samples

‘Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum’ is causing ever increasing economic losses through the decline of apricot trees in European countries, e.g., Hungary. In this study, pathogen was identified from plant tissues and insects by nested-PCR. The insect species were via morphology molecular methods. incidence 29.6% randomly selected trees. Most infected with symptoms died within a year. These results show that phytoplasma significantly present causes damage investigated plantations. only known vector plum psyllid, Cacopsylla pruni, which regularly encountered sampled orchards their surroundings. two-year several adults among specimens observed to be pathogen. This observation further confirms role psyllid vectoring phytoplasma. All belonged ‘B’ biotype. Besides C. crataegi abundant samples. Several latter also ‘Ca. prunorum’. rates occurrence male female two appeared similar. examined individuals showed genetic differences each other included previous investigation.