Authors: Medrano, E.G.; Bell, A.A.

Source: Journal of Applied Microbiology, Volume 102, Number 1, January 2007 , pp. 134-143(10)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

Aims: 

To investigate the aetiology of seed and boll rot of cotton grown in South Carolina (SC). Methods and Results: 

Bacteria were isolated from diseased locules of cotton bolls collected in a field in SC, USA and tested for the ability to cause comparable disease symptoms in greenhouse grown cotton fruit. Spontaneously generated rifampicin-resistant (Rif^r) mutants of the isolates were used in confirmatory pathogenicity tests. Resistance to the antibiotic was both stable and effective in differentiating between an inoculated Rif^r strain, rifampicin-sensitive contaminants and/or endophytes. A series of inoculation methods was tested at various boll developmental stages and at different fruiting nodes on the plant. Field disease symptoms were reproduced by inoculating bolls at 2 weeks postanthesis with bacterial suspensions ranging from 10³ to 10⁶ CFU ml⁻¹. Pathogenic isolates were categorized as Pantoea agglomerans on the basis of phenotype testing, fatty acid profiling (similarity index = 0·94), and 16s ribosomal DNA sequence analysis (99% nucleotide identity). Conclusions: 

Pantoea agglomerans isolates from field-collected immature, diseased cotton caused comparable infection symptoms in greenhouse produced cotton fruit. Significance and Impact of the Study: 

In 1999, significant yield losses in SC cotton resulted from a previously unobserved seed and boll rot that has since been reported in other southeastern states. This study demonstrated a role of P. agglomerans in producing opportunistic bacterial seed and boll rot of cotton.

Keywords: hard-lock(s); hollow seed; opportunistic infections; selection marker; stink bugs

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2006.03055.x

Publication date: 2007-01-01

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