Black leg of Potato

Disease Name: Blackleg of Potato

Pathogen: Erwinia carotovora
Host :
Primary Host: Solanum tuberosum, Cyperus rotundus
Secondary Host(Vector):Maggot flies ( Hylemyia sp. and Phorlin sp.)

Symptoms:-
• Aerial stem rot & tuber soft rot
• Black leg begins from a contaminated seed piece
• Stem bases -an inky-black to light-brown decay, extend up the stem
from less than an inch to more than two feet
• These enlarge into a soft, mushy rot that causes entire stems to wilt and
die
• Leaves - roll upward at the margins, become yellow, wilt & often die
• Potato tubers with soft rot have tissues, very soft and watery and a
slightly granular consistency
• In the early stages, soft-rot decay , odorless
• Later a foul odor and a stringy or slimy decay usually develops as
secondary decay bacteria invade infected tissues.
 Etiology
• Blackleg of Potato is a
bacterial disease
primarily caused by
species of
Pectobacterium and
Dickeya .

• These bacteria, formerly

classified as Erwinia ,
infect potato plants,
leading to stem decay,
wilting, and tuber rot.

• The disease is often

introduced through
infected seed tubers and
can spread through the
plant's vascular system,
as well as by
contaminated soil,
water, and insects.
 Control measures and cultural practices

• Use Certified Disease-Free Seed Tubers, prevents introduction of the

pathogen into the field.
• Crop Rotation– Rotate with non-host crops (e.g., cereals) for 2–3 years
to reduce soil inoculum.
• Avoid Over-Irrigation and Poor Drainage– Waterlogged soils favor
bacterial infection.
• Plant in Well-Drained, Aerated Soil– Reduces stress and creates
unfavorable conditions for bacteria.
• Avoid Deep Planting of Seed Tubers– Ensures better aeration and
reduces blackleg risk.
• Remove Infected Plants Early– Uproot and destroy infected plants to
limit disease spread.
• Maintain Proper Spacing– Ensures good air circulation and reduces
humidity around plants.
• Use Balanced Fertilization– Avoid excess nitrogen which encourages
lush, vulnerable growth.
• Disinfect Farm Tools and Equipment– Use 1% sodium hypochlorite or
formalin to prevent mechanical spread.
• Store Tubers in Cool, Dry, and Well-Ventilated Conditions– Prevents
soft rot during storage and planting.
• Adopting integrated control methods — Starting from seed selection to
post-harvest handling is essential for effective management of blackleg
in potatoes.
• Emphasis should be placed on preventions through sanitation, rotation,
and environmental control rather than curative methods.
 Canker of Citrus
Disease Name: Citrus
Canker
Disease Type : Bacterial
Disease
Pathogen Name:
Xanthomonas citri (
also called
Xanthomonas
axonopodis pv.citri )
Host Name: Citrus
Plant,family(Rutaceae)
(Lemon,orange,lime,ma
ndarin,etc.)

Symptoms :
1.Small, round, water-
soaked lesions appear
first on leaves.
2. Lesions later become
raised and corky.
3. Lesions can appear on
both sides of the leaf.
4. Each spot has a yellow
halo (ring) around it.
5. Fruit lesions may crack
but do not cause
internal rotting.
6. Twigs may dry and die
back from the tip.
 Etiology

• Causal Agent Nature: Xanthomonas citri is a bacterial phytopathogen

that infects various citrus species.
• It produces extracellular polysaccharides, enzymes, and toxins that
break down host tissue.

• Mode of Entry: Enters the plant through natural openings like stomata
or wounds caused by wind, insect bites, or pruning.

• Survival: The bacteria survive epiphytically (on leaf surfaces), and in

lesions on twigs, leaves, and fruits. It can also survive in infected plant
debris and nursery stock.

• Dispersal Mechanism: Spread primarily by wind-driven rain, insects,

contaminated tools, and human activities. Splashing water helps the
bacteria to reach new infection sites.

• Favorable Conditions: Warm, humid climates (25–35°C) with high

rainfall or frequent irrigation promote infection. Young, actively growing
plant tissues are most susceptible.

• Infection Cycle: Once inside the plant, the bacteria multiply

intercellularly and produce toxins that lead to cell collapse. This
causes the characteristic water-soaked lesions, which turn into raised
corky cankers surrounded by a yellow halo.
 CONTROL MEASURES AND CULTURAL
PRACTICES

1.Use of disease-free seedlings.

2.Avoid planting susceptible
varieties.
3.Prune infected branches and
burn them.
4.Disinfect pruning tools
regularly.
5.Maintain orchard hygiene (clean
fallen leaves and fruits).
6.Proper spacing between plants
for air circulation.
7.Avoid overhead irrigation (which
spreads bacteria).
8.Crop rotation and avoid
monoculture.
9.Regular monitoring for early
detection.
10.Copper-based bactericides
(e.g., copper oxychloride).
 Angular leaf spot of cotton
Host Plants/Species affected
Gossypium orbiream.
Gossypium barbadense
Gossypium herbaceum
Gossypium hissutum

Symptoms:

On the leaves small spots appear,

angular in shape.

The spots are dark brown in colour,

and they may link up to form large
area of infection on newly formed
leaves.

The pathogen that penetrates the host

through stomata establishes in the
sub- stomatal space and remain in the
parenchymatous tissue leading the
necrotic lesions.

In wet weather, the narrow dark brown

areas extend upto petioles. However
in dry conditions the affected leaves
are fall off and the
plants remain barren.
 Etiology
1. Causal Agent: Caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv.
lachrymans.
2. Pathogen Type: It is a gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium with polar
flagella for motility.
3. Host Range: Primarily infects cucurbit plants such as cucumber, melon,
squash, and pumpkin.
4. Infection Entry: The bacteria enter plants through natural openings like
stomata or through wounds caused by insects or mechanical damage.
5. Survival and Spread: Survives on infected plant debris and seeds;
spread is facilitated by splashing water, rain, irrigation, and
contaminated tools.
6. Seed-Borne Nature: The pathogen is often seed borne, contributing to
its rapid spread and initial infection in fields.
7. Optimal Conditions: Disease development is favoured by warm (24–
28°C), wet, and humid conditions.
8. Colonization: The bacterium colonizes the intercellular spaces of the
leaf, producing water-soaked lesions that become angular due to
restriction by veins.
9. Exudate Production: Infected tissues may ooze a milky bacterial
exudate that dries to form a white crust on leaf surfaces.
10. Secondary Cycles: Multiple cycles of infection can occur within a
growing season under conducive environmental conditions.
 Control measures and cultural practices
1. Use Disease-Free Seeds: Plant certified, pathogen-free seeds to
prevent seed borne introduction of the bacterium.
2. Resistant Varieties: Grow resistant or tolerant cucurbit varieties, if
available, to reduce susceptibility.
3. Crop Rotation: Practice 2–3 years of crop rotation with non-host crops
to reduce pathogen survival in soil and debris.
4. Field Sanitation: Remove and destroy infected plant debris after
harvest to minimize overwintering inoculum.
5. Avoid Overhead Irrigation: Use drip irrigation instead of overhead
watering to reduce leaf wetness and splash dispersal.
6. Improve Air Circulation: Ensure proper plant spacing and weed control
to promote air flow and reduce humidity.
7. Control Insect Vectors: Manage insect pests thatmay create wounds,
facilitating bacterial entry.
8. Copper-Based Sprays: Apply copper-based bactericides as a
preventative measure, especially in wet conditions (note potential
phytotoxicity).
9. Avoid Working in Wet Fields: Limit field activity when plants are wet to
prevent mechanical spread of bacteria.
10. Seed Treatment: Treat seeds with hot water or disinfectants to kill any
surface-borne bacteria before planting.
 Gummosis of sugarcane
Disease Name: Cobb's gumming
disease/Gumming disease
Pathogen Name: Xanthomonas
axonopodis pv. Vasculorum
Host Name: Saccharum officinarum
Symptoms:
Leaf Symptoms:
• Streaks: 3-7 mm wide and several
centimetres long, developing around
the affected veins and near the leaf
tip.
• Colour: Initially pale yellow, then
turning brown.
• Drying: Affected tissues dry out as
the disease progresses.
Stalk Symptoms:
• Stunting: Infected canes may be
noticeably shorter than healthy ones.
• Short Internodes: The distance
between the nodes (joints) on the
stalk is reduced.
• Bushy Appearance: The overall
effect of stunting and short
internodes is a more compact, bushy
growth habit.
• Bacterial Ooze: When cut, infected
stalks exude a dull yellow, slimy gum
from the cut ends.
• Red Discoloration: The fibro
vascular bundles in the stalks may
show a reddish discoloration.
• Cavities: In severe cases, cavities
may form within the stalk and be
filled with the yellow gum.
 Control Measures and Cultural
practices
1. Use of Disease-Free Planting Material: Select certified, healthy seed
sets from disease-free nurseries.

2. Hot Water Treatment: Treat seed sets at 52°C for 18 minutes to

eliminate internal seed-borne pathogens.

3. Crop Rotation: Rotate sugarcane with non-host crops like legumes or

cereals to break the pathogen life cycle.

4. Field sanitation: Remove and burn infected plants and leftover stalks
after harvest.

5. Drainage Management: Ensure proper field drainage to avoid water

logging, which favours fungal growth. Raised beds or ridges can help
in poorly drained soils.

6. Avoid Ratooning from Infected Fields: Don’t use regrowth (ratoons)

from diseased crops. Start fresh with treated, healthy seed sets.

7. Chemical Seed Treatment

• Before planting, treat sets with:
– Dithane M-45 (0.25%)
– Vitavax (0.125%)
– Benlate (0.062%)
• These fungicides reduce initial inoculums and protect emerging
shoots.

8. Tool Disinfection: Sterilize seed cutters and implements using Dettol

solution or surfactant water. Prevents mechanical transmission of
pathogens between sets.

9 Keep away risky plants : Don’t grow crops like sorghum nearby, as
they can carry the same disease.

10. Balanced Nutrient Management: Apply recommended doses of NPK

and micronutrients to keep sugarcane strong and healthy.
Visual representation
of cultural practices
 Quick Recap

• A bacterial disease in plants is caused by harmful bacteria that infect

plant tissues, disrupt normal functions, and lead to visible symptoms
like spots, wilting, or rotting.

• Some major disease caused by bacteria includes: Leaf blight of rice,

Blight of Bean, Wilt of tomato, Black leg of potato, Canker of
citrus, Angular leaf spot of cotton, Gummosis of sugarcane.

• Common symptoms that are evident in a plant affected by bacterial

disease include: water-soaked spots, wilting, yellow halos around
lesions, and soft rotting of tissues.

• Basic control measures and cultural practices for bacterial diseases

include using disease-free seeds, rotating crops, maintaining field
hygiene, and avoiding overhead irrigation to limit bacterial spread.
 Group-2
ID of Participants

• Jishan-22602013
• Sabila-22602017
• Shipra-22602018
• Sohan-22602020
• Fatema-22602021
• Sakhawat-22602022
• Sakib-22602023
• Merin Islam-22602024
• Payel-22602025