Population Dynamics and Survival of Xanthomonas campestris in Soil in Citrus Nurseries in Maryland and Argentina

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Abstract
The population dynamics and survival in soil nursery strains of Xanthomonas campestris causing citrus bacterial spot in Florida [USA] (Xc) and strains of X. c. pv. citri causing Asiatic citrus canker (Xcc-A) were evaluated in cirtus nurseries under quarantine, in Maryland and in Argentina, where citrus canker is endemic. In Maryland, Xc and Xcc-A were recovered from the soil under infected nursery seedings of Swingle citrumelo when the soil was relatively moist (.phi. .gtoreq. -30 cbar) but not when it was drier (.phi. < -100 cbar). The pathogens were not detected on leaves of adjacent uninfected trees or in the soil under them. The population of Xc and Xcc-A were generally lower in soil than on leaves with lesions and on symptomless leaves from diseased plants. In Argentina, Xcc-A was detected in a sandy soil in grapefruit and sweet orange nurseries with disease proportions of 0.97 and 0.89, respectively. Fluctuations in soil populations were correlated with rainfall, soil moisture, and air temperature, as well as leaf populations. After the removal of infested plants to simulate eradication. Xcc-A could not be recovered after 21 days from either nursery site. It appears that Xcc-A and Xc have very limited survival capacity in subtropical soils.

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