Bacteriophages of Erwinia carotovora and Erwinia ananas Isolated from Freshwater Lakes. C. G. Eayre, Research Plant Pathologist, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Subtropical Agricultural Research Laboratory, 2301 S. International Blvd., Weslaco, Tex. 78596. A. Bartz, Associate Professor, and D. E. Concelmo, Biological Scientist, Plant Pathology Department, 2559 Fifield Hall, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611. Plant Dis. 79:801-804. Accepted for publication 1 May 1995. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source. The American Phytopathological Society, 1995. DOI: 10.1094/PD-79-0801.

Bacteriophages for Erwinia carotovora subsp, carotovora and for E. ananas were readily iso-lated from freshwater lakes in Florida and Texas. Approximately 15% of enrichment cultures with 48 strains of E. carotovora yielded phage. Nineteen of 22 phages had distinct host ranges among the 62 strains and up to 10 strains were susceptible to a single phage. Among strains representing 24 serotypes, 12 of 15 phages caused plaques in lawns of 16 serotypes. Each of 13 enrichment cultures with strains of E. ananas yielded at least one phage and five distinct host range patterns emerged among host strains and phage isolates. The number of susceptible hosts for each phage ranged from one to six.