A Leaf Spot and Blight of Abelmoschus moschatus Caused by a Pathovar of Pseudomonas syringae. C. S. Brown, Graduate Assistant, University of Georgia, Athens 30602. S. M. McCarter, Professor, University of Georgia, Athens 30602. Plant Dis. 75:424-429. Accepted for publication 29 November 1990. Copyright 1991 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-75-0424.

A fluorescent bacterium that closely resembled Pseudomonas syringae pv. hibisci in morphological, biochemical, and physiological tests was consistently isolated from Abelmoschus moschatus with a leaf spot and blight. The bacterium also caused foliar symptoms on several Hibiscus species, including H. rosa-sinensis. Strains of P. s. hibisci attacked A. moschatus but were markedly less aggressive on that host than was the strain from Abelmoschus. On A. moschatus, disease development was favored by low temperatures (20–25 C) and succulent plant growth resulting from heavy fertilization. The bacterium was seedborne, as it was recovered from seed stored for 10 mo at 10 C.