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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #432953
Research Project: Omics-Based Approach to Detection, Identification, and Systematics of Plant Pathogenic Phytoplasmas and Spiroplasmas

Location: Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory

Title: First report of a 16Sr1-B phytoplasma('Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris')associated to maize bushy stunt in Oklahoma

Author
item JINEZ-RODRIGUEZ, IVONNE - Oklahoma State University
item MULLER, LUANA - Oklahoma State University
item ZAMBIASI, JOAO MURILO - Oklahoma State University
item DOS SANTOS, CARLOS - Oklahoma State University
item FARIS, ASHLEIGH - Oklahoma State University
item ESPINDOLA, ANDRES - Oklahoma State University
item OCHOA-CORONA, FRANCISCO - Oklahoma State University
item OLSON, JENNIFER - Oklahoma State University
item WALLACE, SARA - Oklahoma State University
item Wei, Wei
item DUFFECK, MAIRA - Oklahoma State University

Submitted to: Plant Disease
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/20/2026
Publication Date: 6/3/2026
Citation: Jinez-Rodriguez, I.E., Muller, L., Zambiasi, J., Dos Santos, C.G., Faris, A.M., Espindola, A.S., Ochoa-Corona, F., Olson, J., Wallace, S., Wei, W., Duffeck, M.R. 2026. First report of a 16Sr1-B phytoplasma('Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris')associated to maize bushy stunt in Oklahoma. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-04-26-0656-PDN.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-04-26-0656-PDN

Interpretive Summary: In summer and fall 2024, many corn fields in Oklahoma experienced a major outbreak of corn leafhoppers. Affected plants showed yellow striping, red leaves and midribs, stunted growth, and multiple small ears, symptoms typical of maize bushy stunt disease. Scientists from Oklahoma State University and ARS in Maryland suspected a phytoplasma infection (a tiny bacterium that infects plants) might be the cause. To investigate, leaf samples were collected from 15 fields across seven counties and tested using molecular methods. Phytoplasmas were confirmed in samples from Payne, Logan, and Grady counties, and further analysis showed they were the strains associated with maize bushy stunt disease. This is the first confirmed report of this pathogen affecting corn in Oklahoma. The findings improve understanding of the disease in U.S. corn production and provide important information to help researchers, extension specialists, and growers monitor and manage future outbreaks.

Technical Abstract: During the summer and fall of 2024, a severe outbreak of the corn leafhopper, Dalbulus maidis, was reported across multiple commercial corn fields in Oklahoma. Affected corn hybrids exhibited maize bushy stunt–like symptoms, including chlorotic striping, reddening of leaves and midribs, stunting, and the formation of multiple ears, with visual disease incidence ranging from 25% to 100%. Leaf samples displaying symptoms were collected from 15 fields in seven counties. DNA was extracted from all collected samples and screened for the presence of phytoplasmas. Of the samples analyzed, five tested positive, originating from Payne, Logan, and Grady counties. Subsequent molecular characterization using 16S rRNA and ribosomal protein (rp) gene markers, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, identified the pathogen as ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’-related strains belonging to the 16SrI-B subgroup. This study marks the first confirmed report of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ (16SrI-B) causing maize bushy stunt disease in Oklahoma. It provides essential baseline data for disease diagnosis, epidemiology, and management efforts in the state.