Dissemination ofClavibacter michiganensissubsp.michiganensisby Practices Used to Produce Tomato Transplants

Rifampin-resistant (Rif + ) strains of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis were used to study the epidemiology of bacterial canker of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Clipping tomato seedlings in transplant beds with a rotary mower transmitted Rif + C. m. michiganensis from inoculated seedlings to healthy seedlings. Epiphytic populations of Rit + C. m. michiganensis were first detected on clipped, asymptomatic seedlings 9-13 days after the first clipping (...)