Effect of the Colonization of Non-pathogenic Ralstonia solanacearum on the Suppression of Bacterial Wilt in Eggplant

Abstract

Bacterial wilt in eggplant was suppressed by inoculation with non-pathogenic Ralstonia solanacearum (PC (phenotypic conversion) mutants). We investigated the relation between colonization of the PC mutant and suppression of bacterial wilt by the PC mutant. Eggplant seedlings pre-inoculated with PC mutants at the root or 1-leaf petiole showed suppression of bacterial wilt when they were inoculated with the pathogen at the same site. Furthermore, seedlings pre-inoculated with PC mutants at the 5-leaf petiole showed suppression of bacterial wilt when they were inoculated with the pathogen at PC mutant inoculation and 1-leaf petiole sites. The PC mutants at the inoculation site demonstrated adequate colonization. Overall, bacterial colonization was indicated as a factor involved in the suppression of bacterial wilt.