Bacteriosis
Bacterial blight: what it is, how it develops, and how to effectively eliminate it in fruit
Bacterial infection
Xanthomonas sp., Erwinia sp.
Pathogen:
Bacterium
Type:
Risk to the plant:
HIGH
DESCRIPTION
WHO CAUSES IT?
Xanthomonas sp. and Erwinia sp. are phytopathogenic bacteria capable of infecting various plant species and colonizing fruit tissues. Xanthomonas belongs to a group of Gram-negative bacteria that can multiply on plant surfaces and penetrate tissues through wounds, natural openings, and damaged areas. Erwinia also includes bacteria associated with numerous plant diseases, some of which can cause watery lesions and rotting processes. These bacteria can survive for certain periods in infected plant debris, seeds, plant surfaces, soil, or reservoir plants, depending on the species. When conditions are favorable, the bacteria multiply rapidly on the tissues and reach sufficient concentrations to initiate new infections. Dispersal occurs primarily through water, rain splash or irrigation, tools, and contact between tissues and contaminated plant material. Wounds caused by insects, agricultural practices, wind, or mechanical damage particularly facilitate bacterial entry. High humidity promotes bacterial growth and dispersal on plant surfaces, while moderate or warm temperatures can accelerate the development of many species. Once established in plant tissues, some bacteria produce enzymes and other substances that degrade cellular structures, causing lesions, exudates, and, in certain species, rot.
SYMPTOMS
Bacterial diseases can produce lesions of varying appearance on fruit depending on the bacterial species, the crop, and environmental conditions. Infections usually begin as small spots or water-soaked lesions that subsequently increase in size and may turn brown, dark, or necrotic. Under conditions of high humidity, the lesions can spread rapidly, and some bacteria can cause softening and rotting of the tissues. Affected fruit lose commercial quality and, as the infection progresses, can deteriorate rapidly. Wounds, cracks, and damage caused by insects particularly favor the entry and spread of bacteria.
• Water-soaked, translucent, or wet-looking spots on the fruit.
• Appearance of brown, dark, or necrotic lesions.
• Formation of small depressions or sunken lesions.
• Progressive spread of the spots on the fruit surface.
• Softening of the affected tissues.
• Wet rot in advanced infections.
• Appearance of bacterial exudates under high humidity conditions.
• Cracks or lesions that facilitate the entry of secondary microorganisms.
• Premature fruit drop in severely affected fruit.
• Loss of fruit quality and commercial value.
TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
20-30 °C
80-100 %
HOW IS IT SPREAD?
Water, Rain, Irrigation, Splashes, Contaminated tools, Infected plant material, Contaminated seeds, Insects, Wounds
HOW TO REMOVE IT?
Home remedies
There are no home treatments
Chemical treatments
• FOSETIL-AL 80% [WG] P/P
• CUPRIC HYDROXIDE 25% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• CUPRIC HYDROXIDE 50% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 30% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 35% (exp. in Cu) [WG] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 35% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 38% (EXPR. IN CU) [SC] P/V
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 50% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 52% (EXPR. IN CU) [SC] P/S
• CUPROUS OXIDE 50% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• CUPROCALCIC SULFATE 20% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• CUPROCALCIC SULFATE 20% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• TRIBASIC COPPER SULFATE 19% (EXPR. IN CU) [SC] P/V
Authorized treatments in organic farming
• CUPRIC HYDROXIDE 25% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• CUPRIC HYDROXIDE 50% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 30% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 35% (exp. in Cu) [WG] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 35% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 38% (EXPR. IN CU) [SC] P/V
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 50% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 52% (EXPR. IN CU) [SC] P/V
• CUPROUS OXIDE 50% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• CUPROCALCIC SULFATE 20% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• CUPROCALCIC SULFATE 20% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• TRIBASIC COPPER SULFATE 19% (EXPR. IN CU) [SC] P/V
Insect allies
PREDATORY MITES
LADYBUGS
LACEWINGS
PARASITIC WASPS
HOVERFLIES OR PARASITIC FLIES
PREDATORY BUGS
There are no natural allies
Mycodiplosis oidii (predatory mosquito)
EFFECTIVE PRODUCTS TO ELIMINATE THIS DISEASE
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• Use healthy plant material and avoid introducing plants or fruit with suspicious symptoms.
• Remove and dispose of severely affected fruit and plant debris.
• Avoid excessive humidity and ensure good ventilation of the crop.
• Avoid unnecessarily wetting the fruit through sprinkler irrigation.
• Disinfect pruning and handling tools after working with affected plants.
• Avoid working on plants when the tissues are wet.
• Control insects and other agents that can cause damage to the fruit.
• Avoid mechanical damage during cultivation, harvesting, and handling.
• Use tolerant or resistant varieties when available.
• Apply authorized products for bacterial diseases according to the label and carry out preventive treatments when there is a high risk.
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