New Bacterial Pathogen Causing Blight of Cassava in Southern Africa. V. H. Whitlock, Department of Microbiology, University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Ave., Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa. R. R. Hill, and H. M. Cowley, Department of Microbiology, University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Ave., Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa. Plant Dis. 70:167-169. Accepted for publication 17 June 1985. Copyright 1986 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-70-167.

Cultures from lesions similar to bacterial blight from cassava plantings in Natal and Swaziland yielded a yellow-pigmented organism showing characteristics of the genus Erwinia. Pathogenicity was established by induction of similar lesions in experimental plants by leaf inoculation. Field and laboratory symptoms were similar. Symptoms progressed from angular chlorotic lesions to tip and margin necrosis followed by wilting, and finally, abscission. Plant death occurred 5 wk after inoculation in the laboratory. Taxonomic profiles of isolates suggest similarity to the Erwinia herbicola-Enterobacter agglomerans complex.