Nested pcr assay for detection of rice orange leaf phytoplasma in the zigzag leafhopper vector , recilia dorsalis ( motschulsky ) : a first report

Rice Orange Leaf was widely distributed in South and South-east Asia (Hibino et al., 1987), including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. ROL is transmitted by the leafhopper Recilia dorsalis Motchulsky, which also transmits rice dwarf virus and rice tungro virus. These diseases differentiate from ROL on symptoms and geographic distribution. In the Philippines, the ROL phytoplasma is transmitted by R. dorsalis in a persistent manner, with an incubation period of 15-33 days (Hibino et al., 1987). ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ group phytoplasmas have been reported in many crops in India, Rice Orange Leaf phytoplasma is the first report of 16SrI aster yellows group phytoplasma infection of rice (Oryza sativa L.,) in India (Valarmathi et al., 2013).