Diseases and Pests

Bacterial Wilt

The first symptom of this bacterial disease is the drooping of one or two leaves which may recover at night. Initially, the leaves of one side of the plant wilt, while leaves on the other side appear normal. Affected leaves turn light yellow, occasionally get scalded or develop necrotic areas between the veins and at leaf margins. Ultimately, affected roots become blackened and decay if adequate water and moisture are present. Beneath the bark, along the affected stem, the discoloration of the vascular tissue forms dark and narrow streaks. If a stem segment containing discolored tissue is put into a glass of clean water, milky filaments (slime) will appear on the tip of the tissue.

The bacterium that causes the disease, Ralstonia solanacearum, originates from infected roots and may survive in the soil for years. It enters the roots through wounds or mechanical injuries or through wounds caused by nematodes.

Some practices are important for this disease management:

Stalk and root destruction immediately after harvest
Crop rotation preferable with grasses
Implement no till or minimum tillage production
Avoid late cultivations that can damage the root system
Sanitize tractors and implements after working in infected areas
Transplanting anticipation to the beginning of the recommend time, as the bacteria is more aggressive in higher temperatures
The use of tolerant varieties is the most effective method to prevent losses by the disease

ProfiGen released tolerant hybrids to Bacterial Wilt.

Symptom disease pictures:

Initial symptom of Bacterial wilt in a tobacco field

Unilateral leaf wilting caused by Bacterial wilt

Test for detecting Bacterial wilt

Streaks originated from the blackening of the vascular tissue vessels on the affected side of the plant

Diseases and Pests

Bacterial Wilt

See also

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