Genotypic and Phenotypic Analyses Show Cool Virulence Is a Quantitative Trait Not Restricted to "Race 3 Biovar 2".

Most species complex strains cause bacterial wilts in tropical or subtropical zones, but the group known as race 3 biovar 2 (R3bv2) is cool virulent and causes potato brown rot at lower temperatures. R3bv2 has invaded potato-growing regions around the world but is not established in the United States. Phylogenetically, R3bv2 corresponds to a subset of the phylotype IIB clade, but little is known about the distribution of the cool virulence phenotype within phylotype IIB.

Validating Methods To Eradicate Plant-Pathogenic Ralstonia Strains Reveals that Growth Increases Bacterial Stress Tolerance.

Plant-pathogenic bacteria in the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC) cause highly destructive bacterial wilt disease of diverse crops. Wilt disease prevention and management is difficult because RSSC persists in soil, water, and plant material. Growers need practical methods to kill these pathogens in irrigation water, a common source of disease outbreaks.