Some Observations on the Bacterium Associated with Ratoon Stunting Disease of Sugarcane
نویسنده
چکیده
The consistent association of a bacterium with ratoon stunting disease (RSD) has been confirmed in South Africa by phase contrast and electron microscope examination of sugarcane tissue diffusates from a wide range of varieties. The bacterium is rod shaped, often curved and measures approximately 1,O-4,O pm x 0,2-0,3 ym. Bacteria appear to be systemic within plants affected by RSD, but are most readily observed in diffusates from mature stalk tissue of intolerant varieties. The phase contrast microscope technique described appears useful as a confirmatory aid to RSD diagnosis, but cannot confidently be used as the sole method of diagnosis in very young cane.
منابع مشابه
Ratoon stunting disease of sugarcane: isolation of the causal bacterium.
A small coryneform bacterium was consistently isolated from sugarcane with ratoon stunting disease and shown to be the causal agent. A similar bacterium was isolated from Bermuda grass. Both strains multiplied in sugarcane and Bermuda grass, but the Bermuda grass strain did not incite the symptoms of ratoon stunting disease in sugarcane. Shoot growth in Bermuda grass was retarded by both strains.
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