Epidemiology of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae on tomato

Leaf spot of tomato, incited by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae, has been reported recently in Italy on grafted and non-grafted tomato plants (scion Cuore di Bue, rootstock Solanum lycopersicum x Solanum hirsutum cv. Beaufort). In some greenhouses, more than 80% of plants were affected, with a marked reduction in yield. This work was undertaken in order to understand the effect of the number of hours of incubation at high relative humidity (r.h.) and temperature as well as the effect of the presence of wounds at infection time on the development of leaf spot. A difference in sensitivity to leaf spot was observed in the various cultivars tested, in terms of severity of P. syringae pv. syringae, with “Cuore di Bue” being the most susceptible of these cultivars. The development of leaf spot is mostly favored by the presence of wounds, at temperatures between 15 and 20°C. The severity of the disease is lower at 10 and 25°C and very low at 30°C. Under the most favorable temperature conditions, the presence of wounds is sufficient to allow the development of the pathogen immediately upon incubation at high r.h. The effect of wounds and the relatively low requirement of hours of incubation at high r.h. suggest the need for careful management and handling of plants when temperatures range between 15 and 25°C, and particularly within 15 and 20°C. All operations carried out, particularly at transplant and immediately after, should avoid the creation of wounds.