Candidatus Phytoplasma solani

(Stolbur)

Stolbur is a disease caused by a phytoplasma (Candidatus Phytoplasma solani), which in addition to lamina yellowing, causes very characteristic symptoms on young, growing plant parts:
- Young shoots have a reduced growth, much shorter internodes, chlorotic leaves of reduced size with the tips tending  to curve downwards (figure 1);
- A proliferation of numerous short, stiff branches at the apex that give the plant a tufted growth habit;
- Flowers are usually sterile showing various abnormalities (reduced size, hypertrophy of calyx, green colour, and leaf-like appearance) (figures 2 and 3). 
 
This disease occurs relatively late in the season, often after plant topping and bud growth inhibition, which is unfortunate for the diagnosis of this disease because the symptoms are difficult to observe and one will find them only on the few buds that have been spared from inhibition. We advise you to consult Stolbur in the section of "Yellow, chlorotic or white leaves " or the Stolbur Solanaceae fact sheet.