Phytoplasma like symptoms. foliar yellowing. witches' broom and phyllody
were observed on diseased petunia hybrid vilm. In the gardens of EI-Mansoura
University. Egypt. Grafting had been succeeded in transmitting the causal agent but not by
infectious crud sap inoculation or by the aphid Myzus persice«. Light microscopy of
dienes stained free hand section revealed staining of cambium with blue colore.
Electron microscopy study confirmed the presence of phytoplasma in phloeim of
diseased petunia flower petioles. Phytoplasm bodies were pleomorphic and they were
not found in phloeim of healthy plants. Results showed that spraying diseased petunia twice with oxytetracycline (200
ppm) caused disease recovery.