Candidatus Phytoplasma

About Candidatus Phytoplasma:

• It is a microbe with a cell wall lacking Mollicutes bacteria.
• These bacteria thrive in the nutrient-rich phloem and sieve cells of plants.
• Transmission: The transmission of these pathogens takes place primarily through phloem feeder insects (leafhoppers, plant-hoppers, psyllids, and dodders), which are known to infect many commercially valuable crops like Catharanthus, tobacco, maize, and grapevine.
• The manifestations of the disease are disfigurement and virescence of the floral parts, giving a leafy appearance.

Key facts about Sesame

• Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is the oldest indigenous oilseed crop, with the longest history of cultivation in India.
• Sesame or gingelli is commonly known as til (Hindi, Punjabi, Assamese, Bengali, Marathi), tal (Gujarati), nuvvulu, manchi nuvvulu (Telugu), ellu (Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada).
• It is a primordial oilseed crop since the remnants of sesame seeds were discovered at Harappa and Mohenjodaro.
• Climate Requirement:
  • Sesame is grown in almost all the states in large or small areas. It can be cultivated up to the latitude of 1600m (India 1200 m).
  • Temperature: Normally the optimum temperature required during its life cycle is between 25-35 0C.
  • If the temperature is more than 40 0C with hot winds the oil content reduces.
  • Soil: Sesame can be grown on a wide range of soils, however well drained light to medium textured soils are preferred. It does best on sandy loams with adequate moisture.
  • Climate: Semi arid climate of Western India, Central, Eastern and Southern part of India including lower Himalayas.
  • Season : It is cultivated during Kharif in arid and semi-arid tropics and rabi/summer in cooler areas.
• The crop is grown in almost all parts of the country. More than 85% production of sesame comes from West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
• Uses: Sesame oil is excellent from a medicinal point of view. It contains antioxidants, and it is perfect for heart patients.

Q1: What is Bacteria?

These are microscopic single-celled prokaryotic organisms that play a crucial role in the ecosystem and have a significant impact on human health. Bacteria can be found all over the world, including the top of the mountains or the deeper trenches in the oceans.

News: New Microbe reverting sesame flowers to vegetative state identified