Rhizogenic Agrobacterium biovar 1 and cucumber root mat in the UK

An unusual root disease of cucumbers has affected an increasing number of hydroponic crops in the UK since 1993. Symptoms include upward growth of roots, root proliferation sufficient to distort the shape of rockwool cubes and slabs, thickened roots and occasionally reduced root production and an increase in bent fruit. Rhizogenic Agrobacterium biovar 1 has previously been associated with the problem. In a survey of 37 nurseries in 1997, rhizogenic Agrobacterium bv. 1 isolates were obtained from 17 of 22 nurseries with symptoms and only occasionally from nurseries without symptoms. Young cucumber plants inoculated with rhizogenic Agrobacterium bv. 1 isolates, previously obtained from cucumber roots with symptoms, developed typical symptoms. The survey data and pathogenicity test support rhizogenic Agrobacterium bv. 1 as the primary causal agent of root mat in the UK. Although Agrobacterium bv. 1 isolates that do not harbour an Ri-plasmid are considered avirulent, their abundance in rockwool slabs as potential vectors of the Ri-plasmid may be a major factor in the epidemiology of the disease.