A decade of hidden phytoplasmas unveiled through citizen science

Abstract

ABSTRACTClimate change is impacting agriculture in many ways, and a contribution from all is required to reduce the imminent loses related to it. Recently, it has been showed that citizen science could be a way to trace the impact of climate change. However, how can citizen science be applied in plant pathology? Here, using as an example a decade of phytoplasma-related diseases reported by growers, agronomists, citizens in general, and confirmed by a government laboratory, we explore a new way of valuing plant pathogens monitoring data deriving from land-users or stakeholders. Through this collaboration we found that in the last decade thirty-four hosts have been affected by phytoplasmas, nine, thirteen and five of these plants were, for the first time, reported phytoplasma hosts in Eastern Canada, in Canada and worldwide, respectively. Another finding of great impact is the first report of a ‘Ca. P. phoenicium’-related strain in Canada, while ‘Ca. P. pruni’ and ‘Ca. P. pyri’ was reported for the first time in Eastern Canada. These findings will have a great impact in the management of phytoplasmas and their insect vectors. Using these insect-vectored bacterial pathogens, we show the needs of new strategies that allow a fast and accurate communication between concerned citizens and those institutions confirming their observations.Abstract Figure