LetgenPro|Real Time PCR Kit 100 rxn (Spiroplasma citri)

Spiroplasma citri is a wall-less, helical bacterium belonging to the class Mollicutes, and it is the causal agent of Citrus Stubborn Disease (CSD) affecting citrus trees and several other plant species. This pathogen colonizes the phloem tissue of host plants, disrupting nutrient transport and leading to characteristic symptoms such as stunted growth, leaf mottling, shortened internodes, and small, misshapen fruits. The bacterium is transmitted by phloem-feeding leafhopper vectors, primarily Circulifer tenellus and Circulifer haematoceps, in a persistent-propagative manner. It can also persist in various weed hosts, which act as natural reservoirs, thereby sustaining the pathogen’s epidemiological cycle. 

 Due to the absence of curative treatments, disease management relies on preventive measures, including the use of certified pathogen-free planting material, vector control, and regular monitoring of orchards. Therefore, reliable and sensitive detection of S. citri using qPCR is crucial for early diagnosis and effective containment of Citrus Stubborn Disease.