Poster: Biology & Disease Mgmt: Chemical Control
207-P
Effect of seedborne Xanthomonas translucens on wheat seed germination
C. PEREZ (1), E. Juanicotena (2), O. Bentancur (2), C. Palladino (2) (1) EEMAC, Universidad de la Republica, Uruguay; (2) EEMAC, Universidad de la Republica, Uruguay
Bacterial leaf streak (BLS) has become an important disease on wheat production in Uruguay. However, very little is known about the epidemiology of this diseases. Seedborne pathogens may play an important role as primary source of inoculum but can reduce seed germination as well. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of X. translucens on wheat seed germination. Seeds were collected from nine different commercial plots harvested in 2013, including different cultivars. Seeds lots were taken to the laboratory to test four seed treatments: i) check control (without treatment), ii) disinfectant (didecyldimethyl-ammonium chloride), iii) fungicide (iprodione + TMTD + carbendazim), vi) disinfectant + fungicide. Bacterial density was estimated by seed washing and dilution plating technique on Wilbrink´s agar. Seed germination was performed on paper towel. Significant differences on bacterial density were found among seed lots. Seed treatment significantly reduced the number of cfu.g-1 of seed, being disinfectant the most effective reducing bacterial population. However only the fungicide showed a significant effect on seed germination, indicating that germination was not affected by the bacterial population present at the seed surface. Based on this preliminary result, seedborne X. translucens might play an important role as source of inoculum but did not affect germination.