Abstract
A description is provided for Xanthomonas fragariae. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: Fragaria × ananassa (Rosaceae); by artificial inoculation: Fragaria virginiana, F. vesca, Potentilla fruticosa and P. glandulosa (Rosaceae). DISEASE: Angular leaf spot and vascular decline or collapse of strawberry. First described in 1962 in North America. The leaf spot phase appears as minute water-soaked spots on the underside of leaves surrounded by the smallest veins. In the early stages symptoms are only visible on the leaf underside. Spots enlarge, coalesce, penetrate to the upper leaf surface and darken, turning into large, irregular necrotic areas. They have a shiny appearance and are usually covered by bacterial exudate which, when dry, turns brown and appears as gum-like scales. Spots coalesce more frequently along the primary and secondary veins. The dead tissues tear and break off, and the diseased leaf may assume a ragged appearance. Heavy losses may occur with frequent overhead sprinkler irrigation. The conditions favouring infection are moderate to cool daytime temperatures (about 20°C), low night-time temperatures and high humidities (MAAS, 1998). In addition, blossom blight of strawberry has been found in California and is caused by a complex of X. fragariae and Cladosporium cladosporioides (GUBLER et al., 1999). GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: AFRICA: Ethiopia, Réunion. NORTH AMERICA: Canada (New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec), USA (California, Florida, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, Wisconsin). SOUTH AMERICA: Argentina, Brazil (Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Sul, Sao Paulo), Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela. ASIA: Taiwan, Israel. AUSTRALASIA: Australia (New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria), New Zealand. EUROPE: Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy (Sicily), Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine. TRANSMISSION: Rain splash from infested leaf litter in the soil on to young healthy leaves. Penetration occurs through the stomata. Infections of the crowns occur through local wounds or downwards from affected leaves. Bacteria can overwinter in leaf litter and for many years in dried leaf material. Residues of infected leaves and crown infections on runners used for planting are sources of inoculum for primary infections.