BP Singh

Detection of Bacterial Pathogens and Salvaging ofInfected GermplasmBaleshwar SinghIntroductionInfected/ contaminated seed and other propagative materialsare a major source of primary inoculum as well as an importantmeans for local and long distance dissemination for most of theimportant phytobacterial diseases of major agri~horticulturalcrops. Therefore, during exchange of germplasm material, thereis always a risk of introducing exotic pests and pathogens intoareas where they were not known to occur earlier. This threatrelates not only to the possible introduction of a pathogen but alsoof new, more virulent strains or races of pathogenic bacteria.Hence, it is essential to test incoming planting materials for thepresence of pathogenic bacteria to preclude their introduction intothe country. The successful detection and control of bacteria inseed and other planting materials depend upon the availability ofquick and accurate methods for detection and isolation of the targetpathogen. The following methods are employed for the detectionof plant pathogenic bacteria in seeds and other propagativematerials and for salvaging the infected/ cont~minated materials.Technique for Detection of Bacteria1. Visual examination of seedsXanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli causing bacteria,1 blight inbeans, and Curtobacterium flaccumjaciens pv. flaccumjaciens causingvascular wilt in bean are detectable by the presence of yellow