FIRST REPORT OF A YELLOWS-DISEASE OF GERMAN STATICE (GONIOLIMON-TATARICUM) IN CANADA CAUSED BY A PHYTOPLASMA

Symptoms of leaf reddening, chlorosis and flower phyllody of German st atice (Goniolimon tataricum (L.) Boiss), caused by a phytoplasma, were found in plantings at Olds and Lac La Biche, Alberta in 1994 and 1995 . Transmission electron microscopy showed that the phytoplasma bodies ranged in size from 0.37-0.82 x 0.32-0.53 mu m (mean = 0.49 x 0.42 mu m), were oval to spherical, lacked cell walls, and were surrounded by single membranes. Chloroplasts in the diseased plants appeared to be s wollen or degenerated. Survey results indicated that the economic impa ct of this disease on the commercial production of statice for floricu lture use could be significant. The mode of disease transmission under natural conditions is discussed. This is the first report of a phytop lasma disease of German statice in Canada.