Yellows diseases in plants are caused by what type of organism?

Yellows diseases in plants are caused by what type of organism?

• A. Mycoplasma (wall-less bacteria)
• B. Fungi
• C. Viruses
• D. Nematodes

Answer: (A)

Yellows diseases are caused by wall-less, bacteria-like organisms that live in the plant’s phloem and disrupt the movement of nutrients through the tissue. These organisms are phytoplasmas, historically called mycoplasma-like organisms, which matches the description of Mycoplasma (wall-less bacteria). They are not fungi, viruses, or nematodes, which produce disease symptoms through other mechanisms. Phytoplasmas rely on sap-feeding insects, like leafhoppers, to spread from plant to plant, so managing these diseases often focuses on controlling the insect vectors and removing infected plants to limit spread.

Yellows diseases are caused by wall-less, bacteria-like organisms that live in the plant’s phloem and disrupt the movement of nutrients through the tissue. These organisms are phytoplasmas, historically called mycoplasma-like organisms, which matches the description of Mycoplasma (wall-less bacteria). They are not fungi, viruses, or nematodes, which produce disease symptoms through other mechanisms. Phytoplasmas rely on sap-feeding insects, like leafhoppers, to spread from plant to plant, so managing these diseases often focuses on controlling the insect vectors and removing infected plants to limit spread.