Phytoplasma in “fava d'anta ” tree (Dimorphandra gardneriana) in Brazil

Dimorphandra gardneriana, known as “fava d’anta ” and “faveiro”, is naturally found in South America, in Brazil and in Bolivia. Fruits of fava d’anta are source of rutin, a flavonoid that strengththens capillaries. In the State of Maranhão, Brazil, naturally dis-eased “fava d’anta ” trees, with witches ’ broom growths and other symptoms characteristic of plant diseases caused by phytoplas-mas were observed. The aim of the present work was to detect the presence of a phytoplasma that may be the causal agent of the disease. Phytoplasma was discovered in “fava d’anta ” trees affected by witches ’ broom, on the basis of phytoplasma-specific DNA amplification in PCR