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A Method for Observing Rickettsialike Bacteria Associated with Phony Peach Disease. W. J. French, Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, IFAS Agricultural Research Center, Monticello 32344; Phytopathology 64:260-261. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-64-260.

Rod-shaped bacteria were observed with phase contrast microscopy when root and stem sections from peach trees affected with phony disease were treated with 0.1 M KOH. The bacteria were similar in size, shape, and host-tissue localization to the rickettsia-like bacteria which were observed by electron microscopy in tissues from the same trees. The bacteria could not be cultured on artificial media. No bacteria were observed in tissues from healthy trees.