|
Distributed in Canada by Xygen Diagnostics Inc.
Bacterial Fruit Blotch
 |
Bacterial fruit blotch is caused by Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli . The disease was first detected in Florida in 1989. Since then, fruit blotch has been detected every year to varying degrees. |
|
| In order to stop the spread of this disease, every seed lot must be tested. Up until now, methods such as plating seed washes on semi-selective media, seedling grow-out, and prior versions of enzyme linked immunosorbent assays [ELISA] were limited by lack of sensitivity and specificity, and/or large greenhouse space and time requirements. More accurate PCR-based assays were developed; however, they required expensive and time-consuming DNA preparation.
|
 |
The fruit blotch bacterium can be introduced into watermelon fields by infested seed, infected transplants, and natural spread from alternate hosts or volunteer watermelon. Infected transplants represent the most important means of disease transmission because fruit blotch can spread throughout the transplant operation, can be asymptomatic on transplants, and can lead to high numbers of infected transplants entering field plantings.
|
|
 |
Bacteria within leaf lesions of infected transplants can cause infections on susceptible (2-3 week old) watermelon fruit. The naturally occurring waxy layer that develops on maturing watermelon hinders bacterial invasion and infection unless the fruit rind becomes injured and the protective wax layer is compromised.
|
|
To control bacterial fruit blotch, it is recommended that transplant growers inspect seedlings and remove or destroy seedling flats with suspicious symptoms. With the QuickStix Kit for BFB, the decision whether or not to destroy a whole greenhouse of transplants is easily and accurately reached.
Click here for detailed information on our other Plant Pathogen Test Kits
|
