Abstract
Lotus is an important horticultural crop with high economic and medicinal value. However, it is susceptible to pathogens and has a negative impact on growth and post-harvest quality. Lotus seed necrosis was observed for the first time in 2021, in Jiangxi Province, China. The incidence rate was in the range of 12–18%. The diseased lotus seed was consistent with the healthy lotus seed on the outside of the lotus shell. However, the tip of the peeled lotus seed turns black and decays. The symptoms initially appear as irregular small black necrosis spots, and then gradually form large black necrosis spots. In this study, we isolated a key pathogen from diseased lotus seed. Morphological characteristics, DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that the pathogen was Serratia marcescens. Pathogenicity test confirmed that the symptoms caused by S. marcescens were consistent with those in the field, fulfilling Koch's hypothesis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of lotus seed necrosis caused by S. marcescens in China.
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