For non-specific detection of sandal spike phytoplasma by light microscopy Giemsa and Dienes’ stain are employed. Aniline blue, Hoechst 33258 and DAPI stain are used in the non-specific detection by fluorescence microscopy. Scientists at
Kerala Forest Research Institute, India had reported employing the polymerase chain reaction technique for detecting sandal spike phytoplasma. The pathogen belongs to group I of the major phytoplasma groups. For raising
polyclonal antibodies against sandal spike phytoplasma, the pathogen is purified by differential filtration technique. == References ==