Erwinia chrysanthemi

Erwinia chrysanthemi is a species of bacteria that belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae. It is a plant pathogen that causes soft rot diseases in a variety of crops, including potatoes, tomatoes, and ornamental plants.

Taxonomy

The bacterium was first described in 1920 by American plant pathologist Erwin Frink Smith. It was initially named Bacterium chrysanthemi, but was later reclassified into the genus Erwinia in honor of Smith. The species name chrysanthemi refers to one of its primary hosts, the chrysanthemum.

Characteristics

Erwinia chrysanthemi is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium. It is motile, with peritrichous flagella, and is capable of anaerobic respiration. The bacterium produces pectolytic enzymes, which break down the pectin in plant cell walls, causing the characteristic soft rot disease.

Pathogenicity

Erwinia chrysanthemi is a broad host range pathogen, capable of infecting a wide variety of plant species. It enters the plant through wounds or natural openings and then spreads through the plant's vascular system. The bacterium's pectolytic enzymes cause the plant cells to break down, resulting in soft rot.

Management

Control of Erwinia chrysanthemi involves a combination of cultural practices, such as crop rotation and sanitation, and the use of resistant varieties. Chemical control is generally not effective, as the bacterium is capable of surviving in the soil for extended periods.

See also

• Soft rot
• Erwinia
• Plant pathology

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