Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum was first identified in 2008 and was shown to be associated with zebra chip disease of potato, which has been observed since the 1990s with increasing economic impacts. Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum is also known to primarily infect tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), pepper (Capsicum annuum), eggplant (Solanum melongena), tomatillo (Physalis peruviana), tamarillo (Solanum betaceum), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), and several weeds in the family Solanaceae.   The symptoms of infection include stunting, erectness of new foliage, chlorosis and purpling of foliage with basal cupping of leaves, upward rolling of leaves throughout the plant, shortened and thickened terminal internodes resulting in plant rosetting, enlarged nodes, axillary branches or aerial tubers, leaf scorching, disruption of fruit set, and production of numerous, small, misshapen, and poor quality fruits. PCR is the method of choice for the detection of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum. Conventional PCR can be used, but real-time PCR is recommended because of its increased sensitivity.

For research use only and NOT intended for in vitro diagnostics.