Survival of potato strain (race 3) of Pseudomonas solanacearum in the deeper soil layers

Abstract

In two naturally infested potato fields, Pseudomonas solanacearum E.F.Sm, race 3 was detected at all soil levels between 15 and 75 cm with the use of indicator plants. In artificially infested soils, recovery of the bacterium, by plating on a selective medium, was greater in soil sampled from the 55–65 cm layer than from the 10–15 cm layer. These results suggest that, in certain soils, the bacterium can survive for extended periods of time in the deeper soil layers.