Survey of Pseudomonas syringae pv. pisi in Victoria, Australia
In October and November of 1985, 1986 and 1987, field pea crops were surveyed for the presence of Pseudomonas syringae pv. pisi in the state of Victoria, Australia.
772 crops were visually inspected and suspected plants were sent to the Plant Research Institute (PRI) for determination of the causal agent. Only plants with bacterial ooze were further checked and if isolates were fluorescent and oxidase negative a pea, bean and lemon test was carried out to determine pathogenity and differentiate between P. s. pv. pisi and P. s. pv. syringae.
Out of the 772 crops which were observed during this three-year period, 75 were infected by P. s. pv. syringae and two were infected by P. s. pv. pisi. The loci of this quarantine disease were in the north-west of Victoria.
Due to the isolated distribution and low occurence of P. s. pv. pisi the author suggests a redefinition of "area of freedom" combined with the introduction of a certification scheme for pea seeds in Victoria.
Sources
Clarke, R.G. (1990) The incidence of bacterial blight (Pseudomonas syringae pv. pisi) of field peas in Victoria.
Plant Protection Quarterly 5, 160-161.