Effect of latent infection on the spread of bacterial wilt of potatoes in Kenya

Abstract

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) were grown at areas of high and low altitude and then inoculated with Pseudomonas solanacearum (Smith 1896, Smith 1914) biochemical types II and III. About 90% of the inoculated plants at high altitude produced latently infected tubers. When these tubers were grown in sterilised soil and/or subjected to favourable conditions they produced wilt signs and symptoms.