Abstract
A description is provided for Erwinia carotovora var. carotovora. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: On a wide variety of plants affecting particularly their fleshy parts. Elliott (31: 105) lists species belonging to 44 genera as hosts. DISEASE: Bacterial soft rot, a rapidly progressing soft wet rot. The first sign is usually a small water-soaked area, which rapidly enlarges, the tissue becoming soft. In favourable conditions the whole infected organ may become a rotten mass in a few days. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: World wide. TRANSMISSION: The bacteria are likely to be present in any natural soil in which there is decaying plant material. They can be transmitted by many different methods, including, rain splash, running water, insects, tools, hands and clothing of workers, machinery, in air-borne particles and aerosols. They may possibly be carried with seed in the attached debris, but this is unhkely to be important in normal agriculture. The organism requires a wound to gain entry, and usually a weakened or sickly plant if the rot is to proceed in the growing plant. Most healthy growing plants are able to exclude the bacteria by laying down corky tissue in response to the wounding.
Bacterial Soft Rot, a New Disease of Pak-choi (Brassica campestris L., chinensis group) Caused by Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora.