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The bionomics ofErwinia carotovora in North Dakota

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Abstract

A study into the ecology ofErwinia carotovora in North Dakota was performed to determine possible sources ofErwinia spp. which recontaminate stem cut derived seed stocks (SCDS).Erwinia carotovora pv.carotovora (Ecc) was found to overwinter in naturally infested agricultural soils that had been planted to potato the previous cropping season. However, this bacterium was only present in the 30–71 cm sampling depth.E. carotovora pv.atroseptica (Eca) and Ecc were also found in the rhizospheres of a few weed and crop species but the frequency of recovery was low. Ecc and other strains not identifiable to pathovar, but notE. chrysanthemi, were readily recovered from a variety of water sources and from sunflowers with stem and head soft-rot symptoms. AllErwinia strains were characterized, but not all could be identified to pathovar. WateringErwinia-free potato plants with water naturally infested withErwinia spp. resulted in progeny tubers contaminated withErwinia. The importance of this information with regard to the recontamination of SCDS is discussed.

Resumen

Se realizó un estudio de la bionomía deErwinia carotovora en Dakota del Norte para determinar posibles fuentes deErwinia spp. que recontaminan grupos de semilla derivada de esquejes de tallo (SCDS). Se encontró queErwinia carotovora pv.carotovora (Ecc) inverna en suelos agrícolas naturalmente infestados que, en la temporada anterior de cultivo, habían sido sembrados con papa. Sin embargo, la bacteria estuvo solamente presente en las muestras tomadas a una profundidad de 30–71 cm. También se encontróE. carotovora pv.aseptica (Eca) y Ecc en las rizosferas de unas cuantas especies de malezas y cultivos, pero la frecuencia de recuperación fue baja. Ecc y otras variantes no identificables al nivel de patovar, sin incluirE. chrysanthemi, fueron fácilmente recuperadas de diversas fuentes de agua y de girasoles con sintomas de pudrición blanda en el tallo y en la flor. Todas las variantes deErwinia fueron caracterizadas pero no todas podían ser identificadas al nivel de patovar. Al regar las plantas de papa libres deErwinia con agua naturalmente infestada conErwinia spp. resultó una progenie de tubérculos contaminados conErwinia. Se presenta la discusión de la importancia de esta información con respecto a la recontaminación de la SCDS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Pathology, North Dakota State University, 58105, Fargo, ND

    Neil C. Gudmestad (Plant Pathologist) & Gary A. Secor (State Seed Department and Associate Professor)

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  1. Neil C. Gudmestad
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  2. Gary A. Secor
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Published with the approval of the Director of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station as Journal Article No. 1252.

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Gudmestad, N.C., Secor, G.A. The bionomics ofErwinia carotovora in North Dakota. American Potato Journal 60, 759–771 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02856895

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02856895

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