Bark canker of Persian walnut (Juglans regia) trees incited by Erwinia nigrifluens in Italy
Morone, C.; Janse, J.D.; Scortichini, M.
Journal of Phytopathology 146(11/12): 637-639
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0931-1785 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0434.1998.tb04766.x
Accession: 003050482
In autumn 1996, adult Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.) trees cultivated in Piedmont (north-west of Italy) showed irregularly shaped cankers along the bark. When the phelloderm was removed, extensive necrosis of the tissues below was observed. A watery, dark-coloured exudate was also frequently observed. Symptoms were present on approximately 10% of 600 trees. Biochemical, nutritional and pathogenicity tests as well as fatty acids analysis of the isolates and type-strain, indicated that Erwinia nigrifluens was the causal agent of the disease. This is the first report of this pathogen in Italy.