ARS | Publication request: FIRST REPORT OF BLOSSOM BLIGHT OF STRAWBERRY (FRAGARIA X ANANASSA DUCH.) CAUSED BY PSEUDOMONAS MARGINALIS IN CALIFORNIA.

Submitted to: Plant Disease
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: September 1, 2009
Publication Date: September 1, 2009
Citation: Bull, C.T., Huerta, A.I., Koike, S.T. FIRST REPORT OF BLOSSOM BLIGHT OF STRAWBERRY (FRAGARIA X ANANASSA DUCH.) CAUSED BY PSEUDOMONAS MARGINALIS IN CALIFORNIA.. Plant Disease 93:1350 (DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-93-12-1350B).

Interpretive Summary: California provides significant supplies of strawberries rich in vitamin C, fiber, potassium, antioxidants and folate to US markets. Plant pathogens, especially those effecting fruit and pollen production can limit the supply of this important fruit to consumers, as well as the profits of producers. The first step in reducing the impact of emerging plant diseases on crops is to identify the pathogen causing the disease. In this study, a new disease, Strawberry Blossom Blight, is described from central coastal California and the bacterial pathogen causing the disease is identified. This is the first description of the disease and the information about the pathogen will be used to plan research on management of the pathogen in strawberry crops to reduce spread and impact of the pathogen.

Technical Abstract: A novel blossom blight was detected in commercial plantings of the strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) in 2003 in central coastal California. Koch’s postulates were completed and etiology of the pathogen was determined. Physiological and molecular characterization showed that the pathogen was related to Pseudomonas marginalis. This is the first report of P. marginalis causing blossom blight of strawberries.