The microbe reverts sesame flowers to vegetative state
In a significant discovery, Indian researchers have identified the cause of a unique disease affecting sesame crops in the Midnapore region of West Bengal, an important oilseed known for its nutritional and medicinal properties. The disease causes sesame plants to revert from flowering and fruiting stages back to a vegetative state. The flowers, typically white with pinkish hues, turn green, leading to a severe reduction in both yield and quality.
Prof. Gaurab Gangopadhyay and his team at Bose Institute’s Department of Biological Sciences identified the pathogen as Candidatus Phytoplasma, a wall-less bacterium from the Mollicutes group. This bacterium resides in the gut of phloem-feeding insects like leafhoppers and plant-hoppers, which transmit it during feeding. Phytoplasma infects the plant’s phloem and sieve cells, where it disrupts nutrient transport, causing significant morphological distortions.
The infection manifests in various ways, particularly the virescence (greening) and disfigurement of flowers, making them appear leaf-like instead of maintaining their usual structure. These symptoms severely impact the plant’s aesthetic and reproductive quality, resulting in substantial economic losses for farmers.
Published in Plant Molecular Biology Reporter in 2024, the study explored the molecular interactions between Candidatus Phytoplasma and sesame. Researchers examined the metabolic pathways affected by the bacterium, revealing its profound impact on plant physiology, disrupting growth and development processes.
A key aspect of this research is its multi-target approach to understanding how sesame responds to Phytoplasma infection. This could inform strategies to mitigate the disease, such as breeding resistant varieties or implementing pest control measures to reduce pathogen transmission. Despite the challenges sesame varieties face from diseases and pests, this work offers valuable insights into plant-pathogen interactions and could shape future crop improvement programs.
With further research, these findings may lead to the development of Phytoplasma-resistant sesame varieties, ensuring improved yields and more sustainable cultivation of this vital crop.
