Prevalence of thickening syndrome of cladodes on cactus pear in the north-center region of Mexico

Abstract

A plant population of cactus pear with thickening syndrome of cladodes on the north-center region of Mexico was detected, ranging from 3 to 30 % of visible damages. Cultivated Opuntia ficus-indica, var. Copena, located at San Francisco de los Romo Aguascalientes, México, showed the highest prevalence, probably due to the intensive culture production. Coincidentally, Aguascalientes State had the highest number of sick plants from the four States in the study. Electronic microscopy showed individual cell structures (500-1800 nm) similar to phytoplasmas. The thickening syndrome of cladodes is present in all commercial cactus pear orchards studied in the north-center region of Mexico, and results of this work provide recent information on the situation of the disease in the production zone of cactus pear and evidences of the phytopathogen needed to propose an integrated management program of the cactus pear that supports local producers.