Little Leaf of Brinjal PDF

LITTLE LEAF OF BRINJAL 🍆 Phytoplasma(Mycoplasma like Organisms) Brinjal (Solanum melongena) Botanical Name: Solanum melongena Family: Solanaceae Origin: India Cultivation: Widely grown in Asia, Egypt, France, Italy, and the United States Hardiness: Hardy crop, adaptable to dry areas...

LITTLE LEAF OF BRINJAL 🍆 Phytoplasma(Mycoplasma like Organisms) Brinjal (Solanum melongena) Botanical Name: Solanum melongena Family: Solanaceae Origin: India Cultivation: Widely grown in Asia, Egypt, France, Italy, and the United States Hardiness: Hardy crop, adaptable to dry areas with low irrigation Nutritional Value: Moderate source of vitamins and minerals Growing Season: Can be grown year-round Global Production: India is the second largest producer after China Major Growing States in India: West Bengal, Orissa, Karnataka, Bihar, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh. Importance of Brinjal Cultivation in India Brinjal is a popular vegetable in India, known for its versatility and nutritional value. It is a good source of: Vitamins: C, B1, B2, B5, K Minerals: Potassium, manganese, copper, phosphorus Brinjal contributes to: Health: Immunity, heart health, digestion Economy: Income for farmers Culture: Indian cuisine Causal agent of little leaf disease in brinjal (eggplant): 1. Cause: A tiny bacteria-like organism called a phytoplasma 2. Scientific name: "Phytoplasma trifolii" 3. Where it lives: Inside the plant's food-carrying tubes (phloem) 4. How it spreads: Carried by small insects called leafhoppers 5. Main insect carrier: Hishimonus phycitis( Leafhopper) 6. Can't be grown: in labs like normal bacteria TEM IMAGE OF SIEVE TUBES INFECTED WITH PHYTOPLASMA TRIFOLII 7. Detection: Special lab tests like PCR are needed 8. Other hosts: Can also infect related plants and some weeds 9. Impact: Can cause very serious damage to eggplant crops 10. Control: Mainly by managing the insect carriers LEAF HOPPER  Reason for little leaf condition Interference with Meristem Activity: Phytoplasma can interfere with Phytoplasma can alter the expression of genes involved in the the normal function of the meristems, the regions of the plant where biosynthesis of gibberellins. The effector proteins produced by active cell division and elongation occurs. This can lead to a phytoplasma may suppress the activity of enzymes responsible for reduction in cell elongation and increase in the number of cells that converting precursors into active gibberellins. This leads to lower form the leaves, resulting in smaller leaf size. levels of gibberellins in the plant.For instance, the suppression of Hormones responsible for growth and development is gibberellins might contribute to excessive shoot proliferation 1. Gibberllin (witches' broom) and the development of small leaves (little leaf 2. Auxin syndrome). 3. Cytokinin Interference with Auxin Biosynthesis: Phytoplasma infection do not Effector protein-SAP54 and TENGU degrade but down regulate the expression of genes involved in the biosynthesis of auxins, such as TRYPTOPHAN AMINO TRANSFERASE OF ARABIDOPSIS (TAA) and YUCCA (YUC) genes, which are responsible for the production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), the main form of auxin. This inhibition results in reduced auxin levels in the meristematic tissues, leading to stunted growth and smaller leaves..  Cytokinin Overproduction: Phytoplasmas can also manipulate the plant's cytokinin levels, leading to abnormal shoot proliferation (e.g., "witch's broom") and stunted leaf development. This overproduction of cytokinins can result in smaller leaves as the plant's growth processes become uncoordinated. You may get a question about if the number of cell division increases in the means why the leaf doesn't grow but it results in small leaves? Reduced Cell Elongation: Cytokinin overproduction can inhibit the elongation of cells in the leaves. While cytokinin stimulates cell division, the lack of corresponding cell elongation means that each leaf is composed of many small cells, rather than fewer, larger cells. This results in leaves that are smaller overall because they do not expand to their normal size. stimulates cell division, the lack of corresponding cell elongation means that each leaf is composed of many small cells, rather than fewer, larger cells. This results in leaves that are smaller overall because they do not expand to their normal size. History First Reported: Little leaf disease in brinjal was first documented in Coimbatore, India, in 1939 by agricultural scientists Thomas and Krishnaswami. Key Observations: They observed a peculiar condition in brinjal plants characterized by significantly reduced leaf size, stunted growth, and overall plant decline. This distinctive symptom of "little leaf" gave the disease its name.  Transmission of Little Leaf Disease in Brinjal Vector-Borne Disease: Little leaf disease in brinjal is primarily transmitted by insect vectors, specifically lea oppers. These tiny, sap-sucking insects play a crucial role in spreading the disease from infected plants to healthy ones. Transmission Process: 1.Infection: Leafhoppers acquire the disease-causing phytoplasma by feeding on the sap of infected brinjal plants. 2.Movement: The infected leafhoppers then move to healthy plants and feed on their sap. 3.Transmission: As they feed, they inject the phytoplasma into the healthy plants, causing them to become infected. Factors A ecting Transmission: Lea opper Population: The abundance of leafhopper populations in a particular region can significantly influence the spread of little leaf disease. Crop Density: Densely planted brinjal fields can provide favorable conditions for leafhoppers to thrive and transmit the disease. Weather Conditions: Warm(28-30), humid weather can favor the survival and activity of leafhoppers, promoting disease transmission. fh ff fh How Phytoplasma Causes Little Leaf Disease: 1.Infection: Phytoplasma enters the plant through insect vectors, primarily leafhoppers. Once inside the plant, they spread throughout the vascular system. 2.Disruption of Plant Processes: Phytoplasma interferes with various plant processes, including: ◦ Hormone synthesis: They can disrupt the production of plant hormones, leading to abnormal growth and development. ◦ Nutrient transport: Phytoplasma can interfere with the movement of nutrients within the plant, causing nutrient deficiencies. ◦ Photosynthesis: The efficiency of photosynthesis may be reduced, leading to decreased plant vigor and growth. Life Cycle Symptoms of Little Leaf Disease in Brinjal 1. Tiny leaves: 1/3 to 1/4 normal size 2. Short leaf stalks 3. Yellow, soft, thin leaves 4. Stunted plant growth 5. Bushy appearance 6. Leaf-like flowers (phyllody) 7. Plant sterility 8. Malformed, tough fruits 9. Loss of thorns in thorny varieties 10. General yellowing (chlorosis) Control Measures for Little Leaf Disease in Brinjal - Vector Management 1. Insecticide Application: Use Malathion, Profenofos, or Cypermethrin Target leafhopper vectors 2. Trapping: Install yellow sticky traps Divert insect vectors 3. Biological Control: Trichogammae Wasp are used as a biocontrol agent Control Measures for Little Leaf Disease in Brinjal - Cultural Practices 1. Sanitation: Remove and destroy infected plants Eradicate susceptible weed hosts 2. Crop Management: Practice crop rotation Remove volunteer plants from previous seasons 3. Timing Adjustments: Adjust sowing time to avoid peak leafhopper activity ,i.e, October to December 4. Resistant Varieties: Plant disease-resistant cultivars when available Eg: ISD006, BL114 and BL095 Control Measures for Little Leaf Disease in Brinjal - Chemical Control & Integrated Approach 1. Antibiotic Treatment: Spray tetracycline hydrochloride 2. Integrated Approach: Combine multiple control strategies Vector control + Cultural practices + Chemical control Questions??????? Reference : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_leaf_of_brinjal https://www.plantsdiseases.com/p/diseases-of-brinjal.html https://www.biologydiscussion.com/plant-pathology/little-leaf-of-brinjal-mycoplasma/64310 https://nhb.gov.in/bulletin_files/vegetable/brinjal/bri002.pdf https://bmcplantbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12870-024-05257-4 https://plantix.net/en/library/plant-diseases/300055/little-leaf-of-brinjal/ https://krishisevakendra.in/blogs/news/measures-to-control-cercospora-leaf-spot-in-brinjal Done by: Akash (22-UPB-008) Vishal Heartlin (22-UPB-013) Madhav Ajith (22-UPB-017) Bhuvanesh (22-UPB-036) Muthazhagu (22-UPB-051) Kevin Brown (22-UPB-055)