KENSS

The name of the disease, "wild fire, angular leaf spot", derives since the tobacco leaves infected by Pseudomonas syringae pv. Tabaci look like burnt. The first symptoms are small pale green circular areas (about 0.5 cm in diameter) that become brown at the center due to tissue necrosis. The necrotic process progresses rapidly, and the chlorotic halo extends; in a few days the small initial areas are enlarged up to 3 cm in diameter. If the initial outbreaks come into contact, they join together, and the damaged tissues expand irregularly. The highly infected leaves grow badly and become distorted: sometimes, the necrotic areas have an angular shape, they are almost black, and the chlorotic halo is absent. The necrotic tissues can come off and, consequently, the irregular growth of the healthy and infected areas deform the leaves. In case of epidemics, a widespread fall of the necrotic tissues occurs. The extent of the damaged areas depends on the stage of the pathology, which is also regulated by the weather conditions and the host's susceptibility.

NEXT Genomics performs on-site sampling and molecular analysis of infected plants.

Results:

The outbreak of infection of the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv Tabaci was found. Moreover, strategies to eradicate the epidemic and prevent further infections were identified.