Abstract
The effects of wounding of calla (Zantedeschia spp.) tubers (‘Black Magic’), inoculation of tubers with Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc) (syn Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora), anaerobic incubation of tubers, and temperature at which tubers were maintained on the incidence of tuber soft rot were investigated under controlled conditions. It was found that bacterial soft rot of calla tubers was greatly affected by all four factors. Temperature had the greatest effect on mean disease score, followed by wounding of tubers, inoculation with soft-rotting bacteria, and aerobic or reduced oxygen conditions. No rot occurred in tubers that were not wounded, not inoculated with Pcc, and incubated at 20°C in aerobic conditions. Rots developed in all tubers that were wounded, inoculated with Pcc, and incubated at 30°C. The study clearly demonstrated that Pcc infects tubers through damaged tissue, and infection was greatly enhanced under conditions that impaired host resistance and favoured multiplication of the bacteria.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
