The “Cherry Buckskin” disease recently reported in Himachal Pradesh is caused by which pathogen, and how is it transmitted?

Correct option is C

The Cherry Buckskin disease threatening the cherry orchards of Himachal Pradesh is caused by a Phytoplasma belonging to the ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum’ (16SrX-B) group. It is transmitted by the leafhopper Fieberiella florii, which feeds on phloem sap and spreads the pathogen from infected to healthy trees.

Symptoms include leaf yellowing and reddening, stunted growth, poor fruiting, and tree decline. The disease severely affects the cherry economy of the region.

Management involves removal of infected trees, use of disease-free planting material, and vector control.