Maize redness in Serbia caused by stolbur phytoplasma is transmitted by Reptalus panzeri

Abstract

Maize redness (MR) causes midrib, leaf and stalk reddening and abnormal ear development in maize in Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria. High populations of the ciixid Reptalus panzeri (Low) were found in MR affected maize fields in the southern Banat region of Serbia in 2005 and 2006, and stolbur phytoplasma was detected in 20% of the insects. Stolbur phytoplasma was detected in 85% of symptomatic maize from these fields. Typical MR symptoms developed in healthy maize plants exposed to stolbur phytoplasma infected R. panzeri, and these plants were positive for the phytoplasma.