Ingress and Spread of Pseudomonas in Stems of Peach and Apricot Promoted by Frost-Related Water-Soaking of Tissues. A. Vigouroux, Department of Plant Pathology, INRA Botany and Plant Pathology Laboratory, 34060 Montpellier, France. . Plant Dis. 73:854-855. Accepted for publication 31 May 1989. Copyright 1989 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-73-0854.

A freezing-thawing cycle created a water-soaked condition in the bark of shoots of peach and apricot that induced a quick (1 min) ingress and a noticeable spread (15–35 mm) of bacteria and dyes in tissues. This phenomenon may explain the decisive effect of low temperature on several diebacks and cankers of fruit trees caused by pseudomonads.