Occurrence and distribution of races of Pseudomonas syringae pv. pisi in Australia and their specificity towards various field pea (Pisum sativum) cultivars

Abstract

The occurrence of races among 65 Australian isolates of Pseudornonas syringae pv. pisi, the causal organism of bacterial blight of field peas, was investigated. Race 3 was most common in Victoria and New South Wales, while race 6 was most common in South Australia. Field pea cultivars were screened for their resistance or susceptibility toward the 7 races of P. syringae pv. pisi. The most common cultivars were susceptible to races 3 and 6, explaining the high incidence of these races in this survey. All cultivars tested were susceptible to race 6, which was identified in all 3 States.