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Fire blight of pome fruits: The genesis of the concept that bacteria can be pathogenic to plants

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  • Baker, Kenneth F.

Abstract

This paper reviews American literature on fire blight disease of pomaceous fruits and presents proof that the concept of certain bacteria as a cause of plant disease was slowly developed by various growers and plant pathologists between 1846 and 1901. Growers first observed fire blight, proved its transmissibility, confirmed its identity on pear and apple, and recognized the importance of flowers as avenues of infection. It then remained for plant pathologists to discover and prove that a specific bacterium, Erwinia amylovora (Burrill) Winslow et al., caused the disease, and that insects could spread the bacterium. Study of the literature shows that if any one person must be given the honor of final proof of the theory it should be J. C. Arthur, and that M. B. Waite was first to show that insects could act as vectors of a plant pathogen, the fire blight bacterium.

Suggested Citation

  • Baker, Kenneth F., 1971. "Fire blight of pome fruits: The genesis of the concept that bacteria can be pathogenic to plants," Hilgardia, California Agricultural Experiment Station, vol. 40(18).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:hilgar:381322
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