Pseudomonas viridiflava: Causal Agent of Bacterial Leaf Blight of Tomato. J. B. Jones, Assistant Professor, Plant Pathology, Agricultural Research and Education Center, Bradenton, FL 34203. John Paul Jones, Professor, Plant Pathology, Agricultural Research and Education Center, Bradenton, FL 34203; S. M. McCarter, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, Athens 30602; and R. E. Stall, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611. Plant Dis. 68:341-342. Accepted for publication 19 December 1983. Copyright 1984 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-68-341.

A leaf spot disease of tomato was observed in several fields near Bradenton, FL, in the late winter and early spring of 1983. A fluorescent bacterium identified as Pseudomonas viridiflava was isolated consistently. In controlled-environment chambers, the disease developed only when plants were water-soaked by misting before and after inoculation or where wounds were inoculated. The bacterium appears to be an opportunistic parasite that attacks plants stressed by unfavorable environmental conditions.