Pectobacterium carotovorum

Pectobacterium carotovorum is a bacterium species that belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae. It is a plant pathogen that causes soft rot diseases in a variety of crop plants.

Taxonomy

Pectobacterium carotovorum was formerly known as Erwinia carotovora. The genus Pectobacterium is part of the family Enterobacteriaceae, which also includes other plant pathogens such as Dickeya and Pantoea.

Pathogenicity

Pectobacterium carotovorum is a necrotrophic pathogen that causes soft rot diseases in a wide range of plant hosts. It produces pectolytic enzymes that degrade the plant cell wall, leading to the characteristic soft rot symptoms. The bacterium can infect a variety of crops, including potatoes, carrots, and onions, causing significant economic losses.

Disease Management

Management of diseases caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum involves a combination of cultural practices, such as crop rotation and sanitation, and the use of resistant varieties. Chemical control is often ineffective due to the bacterium's ability to survive in soil and plant debris.

Research

Research on Pectobacterium carotovorum is focused on understanding its pathogenicity mechanisms and developing effective control strategies. This includes studies on the bacterium's genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, as well as research on its interaction with plant hosts.

See also

• Soft rot
• Plant pathology
• Enterobacteriaceae

This article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by registering to expand it. Editing is available only to registered and verified users. WikiMD is a comprehensive, free health & wellness encyclopedia.