ARS | Publication request: Ralstonia Solanacearum Biovar 2, Race 3 in Geranium Imported from Guatemala to Pennsylvania in 1999

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: March 15, 2002
Publication Date: June 1, 2002
Citation: KIM, S.H., OLSON, T.N., SCHAAD, N.W. RALSTONIA SOLANACEARUM BIOVAR 2, RACE 3 IN GERANIUM IMPORTED FROM GUATEMALA TO PENNSYLVANIA IN 1999. PHYTOPATHOLOGY. 92:S42. 2002.

Technical Abstract: The PA Department of Agriculture Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory received geraniums infected with Ralstonia solanacearum Biovar 2, Race 3 (RsB2R3) from three greenhouses in Spring 1999 and two additional greenhouses in Spring 2000. The geranium cultivars originated from propagators in Guatemala or Mexico. The disease was identified by symptoms (wilting) and signs (bacterial oozing) and the organism by isolation on TTC (fluidal pink-centered colonies), ELISA (positive with Agdia antibody, BRA 33900/0500), Biolog database (identified as R. solanacearum), and utilization and oxidation of carbon sources (keyed to RsB2R3). The identity was confirmed by real-time PCR using RsB2R3 specific primers and probe and pathogenicity tests on 4-6 leaf stage plants of geraniums (+), tomatoes (+), eggplants (+), potatoes (+), and tobacco (-). The importation of RsB2R3 in geraniums propagated in Guatemala in 1999 constituted the first introduction to the US.