Assessing Susceptibility of Carrot Roots to Bacterial Soft Rot

Abstract

Four methods for screening carrot ( Daucus carota L.) germplasm for resistance to bacterial soft rot were compared. There were differences in resistance among strains, with most severe damage caused by Erwinia carotovora pv. carotovora SR 394 (L.R. Jones) Holland and Erwinia carotovora pv. atroseptica SR 159 (van Hall) Jennison. Inoculation of cross-sectional root slices with bacteria applied in suspension-soaked paper disks produced the most consistent response. The severity of disease damage was proportional to bacterial suspension concentration. With the development of a standard screening method, it may be possible for breeders to breed carrots with reduced susceptibility to soft rot.