Premium
Epidemiological aspects of bacterial wilt of fodder grasses 1
Author(s) -
SCHMIDT D.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
eppo bulletin
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.327
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1365-2338
pISSN - 0250-8052
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2338.1989.tb00133.x
Subject(s) - biology , bacterial wilt , xanthomonas campestris , fodder , crop , inoculation , virulence , pathogen , host (biology) , agronomy , phyllosphere , pathogenicity , bacteria , microbiology and biotechnology , horticulture , ecology , biochemistry , genetics , gene
In order to explain the occurrence of very severe or more moderate wilt of grasses attacked by Xanthomonas campestris pv. graminis , various observations on the factors possibly influencing the epidemics of the disease are summarized in this article. Although natural vectors exist, the main means of transmission is certainly mowing tools. Resistance of the plants can be genetically predetermined or induced by non‐pathogenic phyllosphere bacteria, if these are inoculated at the same time as the pathogen and in sufficient numbers. Young seedlings are particularly susceptible. Strains of X.c. graminis vary in their pathogenicity. Non‐pathogenic strains enhance host resistance. Very severe attacks are related to extremely virulent strains. Crop management can influence the disease which is favoured by various stress situations. Disease spreads extensively when grass is mown under wet conditions. In conclusion, the following measures are recommended to avoid heavy attacks: use of resistant grass cultivars; avoiding contaminated mowing tools, especially for the first cut; cutting under dry conditions.