Isolation, Culture, and Pathogenicity of the Bacterium Causing Phony Disease of Peach

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Abstract
Fastidious, Gram-negative, xylem-limited bacteria (XLB) were isolated from peach (P. persica) trees with symptoms of phony disease. Following inoculation by root infiltration, stunting and severe rosetting of terminal twigs occurred in 3 of 4 ''Lovell'', 3 of 10 ''Halford'', and 2 of 10 ''Nemagard'' peach seedlings. The XLB in situ were 0.35 .times. 3 .mu.m in maximum diameter and length, were present in all inoculated peach seedlings with symptoms typical of phony disease, and were reisolated on BCYE medium 18 mo after the plants were inoculated. Results of ELISA [enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay] serology with antiserum prepared against the phony peach XLB were similar with bacteria isolated for naturally diseased trees and from artificially inoculated seedlings. The serology, morphology and ultrastructural properties of the reisolated bacteria were identical to that of XLB present in naturally infected trees and to that of the bacteria used in the original inoculations.