Abstract
A description is provided for Erwinia rhapontici. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: On Rheum rhaponticum and seed of Triticum sp. DISEASE: Crown rot of rhubarb. Infection usually occurs at soil level or a little below, begninning as a brownish rot that gradually extends into the centre of the root. A cavity may be formed, and the flesh below the crown turns brown, then black. The plant is steadily weakened until finally the crown decays or breaks away, and small spindly leaves grow from lateral buds. Pink grain of wheat. The grain is coloured pink and has an internal cavity below the hilum. Germination of the seed is reduced and plants are retarded by about 3 weeks (Luisetti & Rapilly, 1967). GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: England, Wales and Poland are listed in CMI Map 145. To these should be added USA (Oklahoma) (19, 295) and possibly Norway (7, 700). On wheat, pink grain has been reported from England (55, 699), France (Luisetti & Rapilly, 1967), and possibly Australia where pink coloration of grain has been reported (33, 21). TRANSMISSION: In rhubarb the nematode Anguillulina dipsaci is known to assist the bacterium to enter the crowns (Metcalfe, 1940). It probably also transmits the organism. Wounding is needed for the bacteria to gain entry, and this undoubtedly occurs during the procedures connected with cultivation and vegetative propagation. Infected setts could transmit this disease into new areas.