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Open AccessArticle
Persistence of Phytoplasma and Control Efficacy of Oxytetracycline Tree Injection for Elaeocarpus sylvestris (Lour.) Poir. var. ellipticus (Thunb.) H.Hara Decline Disease
by
Geon-Woo Lee
Geon-Woo Lee
I am a plant pathologist currently working as a research scientist in the Department of Forestry at [...]
I am a plant pathologist currently working as a research scientist in the Department of Forestry at Jeonbuk National University. I earned my Ph.D. in Tree Pathology with a specialization in phytoplasma detection and control, focusing on molecular diagnostics such as real-time PCR and LAMP assays. My research centers on developing early detection tools for tree diseases and evaluating trunk injection treatments for phytoplasma-infected plants, particularly trees. I have also conducted studies on wood anatomy and tree risk assessment to improve treatment delivery and understand tree decline mechanisms. Prior to my current position, I participated in several national research projects on forest disease management. I am an active member of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology and have been recognized for my contributions to phytoplasma research and urban tree health. My goal is to enhance sustainable tree disease management through evidence-based diagnostics and control strategies.
,
Kyung-Don Kang
Kyung-Don Kang
Yeong-Don Lee
Yeong-Don Lee
Sun-Keun Lee
Sun-Keun Lee
Sang-Sub Han
Sang-Sub Han
1
Department of Forest Environment Science, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Republic of Korea
2
Hallasan Research Department, World Heritage Office Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Jeju 63143, Republic of Korea
3
Warm Temperate and Subtropical Forest Research Center, National Institute of Forest Science, Seogwipo 63582, Republic of Korea
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Forests 2025, 16(8), 1260; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16081260 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 3 July 2025
/
Revised: 23 July 2025
/
Accepted: 31 July 2025
/
Published: 1 August 2025
Abstract
Elaeocarpus sylvestris (Lour.) Poir. var. ellipticus (Thunb.) H.Hara, an evergreen tree species native to Jeju Island, South Korea, has experienced a progressive decline associated with phytoplasma infection. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oxytetracycline-based tree injection for suppressing phytoplasma and improving tree vitality. Two formulations—oxytetracycline hydrochloride (4.3%) and oxytetracycline calcium alkyltrimethyl ammonium (17%)—were administered to 40 infected individuals across two sites using a gravity-fed injection system. Treatment efficacy was evaluated based on chlorophyll content as an indicator of physiological recovery, while phytoplasma presence was assessed by PCR at 150 days after injection. The oxytetracycline hydrochloride group showed the highest suppression, with a 70% phytoplasma non-detection rate as determined by PCR analysis. Treated trees exhibited significantly higher chlorophyll content compared to untreated infected controls. These findings suggest that minimally invasive tree injection using oxytetracycline can provide temporary suppression of phytoplasma and support physiological recovery in E. sylvestris.
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MDPI and ACS Style
Lee, G.-W.; Kang, K.-D.; Lee, Y.-D.; Lee, S.-K.; Han, S.-S.
Persistence of Phytoplasma and Control Efficacy of Oxytetracycline Tree Injection for Elaeocarpus sylvestris (Lour.) Poir. var. ellipticus (Thunb.) H.Hara Decline Disease. Forests 2025, 16, 1260.
https://doi.org/10.3390/f16081260
AMA Style
Lee G-W, Kang K-D, Lee Y-D, Lee S-K, Han S-S.
Persistence of Phytoplasma and Control Efficacy of Oxytetracycline Tree Injection for Elaeocarpus sylvestris (Lour.) Poir. var. ellipticus (Thunb.) H.Hara Decline Disease. Forests. 2025; 16(8):1260.
https://doi.org/10.3390/f16081260
Chicago/Turabian Style
Lee, Geon-Woo, Kyung-Don Kang, Yeong-Don Lee, Sun-Keun Lee, and Sang-Sub Han.
2025. "Persistence of Phytoplasma and Control Efficacy of Oxytetracycline Tree Injection for Elaeocarpus sylvestris (Lour.) Poir. var. ellipticus (Thunb.) H.Hara Decline Disease" Forests 16, no. 8: 1260.
https://doi.org/10.3390/f16081260
APA Style
Lee, G.-W., Kang, K.-D., Lee, Y.-D., Lee, S.-K., & Han, S.-S.
(2025). Persistence of Phytoplasma and Control Efficacy of Oxytetracycline Tree Injection for Elaeocarpus sylvestris (Lour.) Poir. var. ellipticus (Thunb.) H.Hara Decline Disease. Forests, 16(8), 1260.
https://doi.org/10.3390/f16081260
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