Weligama Coconut Leaf Wilt Disease (WCLWD) is a quarantined disease in the Southern province, Sri Lanka. The disease is caused by a plant pathogen called phytoplasma and early detection is the key to successful management. Here we propose a PCR based methodology for consistent, and reliable early detection of the pathogen present in midribs of milky white bud leaf tissues of infetced coconut palms. It was also found that the pathogen can survive asymptomatically in a plant minimum of one year and pathogen movement from leaves to root was detected. This information is useful in early detection and disease eradication programs in the future.  

Prasad R. De Silva, Chandrika N. Perera, Brian W. Bahder, Renuka N. Attanayake

pathogens

Abstract :- https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/12/2/294