The Mode of Adaptation of Phytoplasmas to their Plant and Insect Hosts

Phytoplasmas are some plant pathogens that establish and propagate in plant phloems. They have transmitted by sucking insects. Phytoplasmas have a different lifecycle as compare to bacterial pathogens. They have ability to infect different hosts two different kingdoms, planta and animalia (insects). They systemically infect their hosts. Phytoplasmas have various approaches for adaptation to their hosts. Some of adaptation mechanisms include: changes in the level of gene expression, variation and recombination in extrachromosomal DNA and potential mobile units, production of effectors and suppression of defense signaling pathways. These approaches enable them to establish, propagate and infect various hosts. Recognizing these strategies would be a major step on the effective management of these pathogens.