VIEW ARTICLE

Ecology and Epidemiology

Survival of Pseudomonas solanacearum Race 3 in Plant Debris and in Latently Infected Potato Tubers. J. Graham, Graduate student, Department of Microbiology and Genetics, University of New England, Armidale, N.S.W., 2351, Australia; D. A. Jones(2), and A. B. Lloyd(3). (2)(3)Graduate student and senior lecturer, respectively, Department of Microbiology and Genetics, University of New England, Armidale, N.S.W., 2351, Australia. Phytopathology 69:1100-1103. Accepted for publication 12 April 1979. Copyright 1979 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-69-1100.

By the use of indicator plants, Pseudomonas solanacearum race 3 was detected in soil and debris collected from a heavily infested potato field 33 wk after the field was abandoned. Infested debris that was mixed into noninfested soil remained infested for 26 wk, and in one sample for 32 wk. It is suggested that in a cool temperate climate, such as that of the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, infested debris and latently infected self-sown tubers can serve, as short-term and long-term sheltered sites, respectively, for survival of P. solanacearum race 3 in the field.