Champoiseau, P., Jones, J.B., Allen, C. and Momol, T. 2009. Description and strategies for best management of Ralstonia solanacearum Race 3 biovar 2 as a potential incitant of bacterial wilt of tomato. 24th Annual Tomato Disease Workshop. Held November 3-5, 2009. State College, Pennsylvania, USA.

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Abstract: R. solanacearum is one of the most damaging plant pathogenic bacteria worldwide, affecting a wide range of economically important crops including tomato. One subgroup of R. solanacearum called Race 3 biovar 2 (R3b2) is not known to be established in the United Sates and is subject to the strictest biosecurity regulations as a USDA select agent plant pathogen. If introduced in the US, R3b2 could disrupt the potato industry and result in multi-million dollar losses due to quarantine responses. Exclusion and best management of R3b2 involves early detection and unambiguous identification of the pathogen at both national and international levels. This can be achieved by ensuring preparedness and effective training of greenhouse owners, industrial representatives, diagnosticians and other individuals responsible for first detection and response to a possible R3b2 discovery in the US. The objective of this session is to provide most accurate information on R3b2 as potential incitant of bacterial wilt of tomato, including description of the pathogen, presentation of effective disease diagnosis tools and recommended strategies for best management of this pathogen, according to APHIS official regulation.