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Seed Transmission Studies of Xanthomonas oryzae in Rice. H. E. Kauffman, Plant Pathologist, The International Rice Research Institute, Los Banos, Philippines; A. P. K. Reddy, Plant Pathologist, All-India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500030, A.P., India. Phytopathology 65:663-666. Accepted for publication 23 December 1974. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-65-663.

Detailed studies on invasion of rice seed by Xanthomonas oryzae indicate that glumes of seeds readily become infected. Characteristic symptoms were observed on infected panicle branches, but not on infected seeds. Infected seed stored under natural conditions (temperatures ranging from 25 to 35 C) harbored viable bacteria for 2 months, after which no bacteria could be detected by the three methods tried. Seed transmission was not observed in freshly-harvested infected seeds grown under various conditions. In germinated seeds, bacterial populations declined and bacteriophage populations increased rapidly. Bacteriophages may play a role in reducing the bacterial population in germinating seed.