Erwinia chrysanthemi found on maize in Portugal
In summer 1991, serious stalk rot infection of maize was observed in south-eastern Portugal. Affected plants showed yellow-green water-soaked spots delimited by a dark margin on stalk and leaves, wilting of the upper leaves and soft rot at the base of the whorl. A putrid odour was emitted by the plants. In the final stage, affected stalks collapsed. Similar symptoms had been observed in summer 1987 but the causal agent was not identified. On the basis of morphological, cultural, biochemical, physiological and pathological properties, the pathogen was identified as Erwinia chrysanthemi (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) biovars 2 and 3. This bacteria had previously been found in Portugal on tomato plants grown under greenhouse conditions but not in maize fields.
Sources
Ferreira-Pinto, M.M.; Cruz, M.L.; Oliveira, H. (1994) The occurrence in Portugal of the bacterial disease of maize crops caused by Erwinia chrysanthemi.
Plant Pathology, 43 (6), 1050-1054