Occurrence of potential vectors of phytoplasma in pear orchards with different plantation management

Abstract

During 2009–2011, regular captures of Cacopsylla pyri, C. pyrisuga and C. pyricola in four pear orchards (one conventional orchard, one integrated pest management (IPM) orchard, two organic orchards) were conducted in the Czech Republic. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were performed on psyllids captured from the orchards with the highest occurrence of these insects. The DNA extracted from pairs of psyllid individuals was analysed by nested PCR (R16F2n/R2-fU5/rU3) and restriction fragment length polymorphism method (RFLP) (RsaI, BfmI). Two C. pyri individuals captured on 11/05/2011 in the IPM orchard tested positive for Ca. P. pyri. Ca. P. pyri presence was confirmed in 8 out of the 9 Cacopsylla samples tested by subsequent nested PCR (P1/P7- f01/r01). In 2010 a higher amount of C. pyri was captured in the conventional orchard during June/July and in the IPM orchard during March, May, June and July. In 2010 and 2011 no or lower psyllids presence was detected in the organic orchard No. 1 and in the organic orchard No. 2. It is important to control pear decline by controlling the vector of the disease.