Identification of spectral ranges that contribute to phytoplasma detection in apple trees - A step towards an on-site method.

'Candidatus Phytoplasma mali' is the bacterial agent associated with Apple Proliferation, a disease that causes high economic losses in affected commercial apple growing regions. The identification of the disease is carried out by visual inspection performed by skilled professionals in the orchards. To confirm an infection, costly molecular laboratory methods must be applied.