Importance
Ralstonia solanacearum is classified as one of the world's most important phytopathogenic bacteria due to its lethality, persistence, wide host range and broad geographic distribution. Although the pathogen causes major yield lost in the tropics and subtropics, it is currently a continuing threat in temperate climates.
Ralstonia solanacearum is a high profile alien plant pathogen of A2 Quarantine status affecting a very wide range of crops. This means that it is present in parts of Europe but is under statutory control. Worldwide, the most important crops affected are: Potato, Tomato, Tobacco, Banana and Geranium. In the UK and the rest of the EU the most important crops affected are Potato and Tomato. It would cause serious economic damage were it to become more established than it currently is. Losses are due to actual yield reduction and also due to statutary measures taken to eliminate the disease.
Bacterial wilt caused by R. solanacearum is of economic importance because it infects over 250 plant species in over 50 families. It causes a wilt disease in several important agricultural crops such as potato, tomato, tobacco, banana, pepper and eggplant. The disease is known as Southern wilt, bacterial wilt, and brown rot of potato. Many more dicots suffer from the disease than do monocots. Among the monocot host, the order Zingiberales dominates with 5 over 9 families being infected by this bacterium. The reason why some families are more susceptible to bacterial wilt is still unknown. Originally, Ralstonia solanacearum is found in tropical, sub-tropical and warm temperate climates, but is not believed to survive cold temperatures. However, this pathogen has recently been detected in geraniums (Pelargonium spp.) in Wisconsin, USA and was traced back to the import of geranium cuttings to North America and Europe from the highland tropics where race 3 biovar 2 is endemic
Brown rot of potato caused by Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 is among the most serious disease of potato worldwide, which is responsible for an estimated $950 million in losses each year. Race 3 biovar 2 is cold tolerant and classified as a quarantine pathogen. In addition, this race/biovar has been listed as a Select Agent in the Agriculture Bioterrorism Act of 2002 and is considered to have potential to be developed as a bioterrorist weapon.
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