Abstract
In 1982, a disease of strawberry plant, showing the symptoms of stunting and witches' broom, was observed in Shizuoka city. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of mycoplasmalike organisms (MLOs) in the sieve tubes of the diseased plants. Macrosteles orientalis, and Macrosteles fascifrons were found to transmit the disease to healthy plants. Of 29 species plants in 14 families, which were inoculated by the infectious M. orientalis, 26 species plants in 12 families were infected with the MLO. The strawberry witches' broom had a wide host range similar to those of sickle hare's ear yellows.
