European Journal of Plant Pathology (2016) 144, 569-579

O. Frenkel, M. Bornestein, R. Shulhani, G. Sharabani, M. Sofer, F. Abo-Moch, M. Lofthouse, S. Manulis-Sasson and D. Shtienberg (2016)
Secondary spread of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis in nurseries and the conditions leading to infection of tomato seedlings
European Journal of Plant Pathology 144 (3), 569-579
Abstract: Infected seedlings are one of the most important primary sources of inoculum of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm), the causal agent of bacterial canker and wilt of tomatoes, in commercial production plots. In this study we tested the hypothesis that a low number of infected source seedlings may give rise to a large number of infected seedlings in the nursery even when careful measures are taken. It was found that the pathogen dispersed spatially from root-inoculated source seedlings and colonized the leaf surfaces of surrounding seedlings to distances of 65–75 cm. A sub-irrigation system reduced, but did not prevent, Cmm dispersal. Infections by epiphytic Cmm populations can occurred under a wide range of temperature conditions, seedling ages and foliar wetness periods. The results emphasize the need to minimize the primary infectious sources as well as developing new strategies to reduce the dispersal during the nursery stage.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Shulamit Manulis-Sasson, Dani Shtienberg

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
population dynamics/ epidemiology
general biology - morphology - evolution

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Clavibacter michiganensis	Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)	Israel