Abstract
A bacterial disease of ragi (Eleusine coracana), new to Japan, was found in Tochigi and Kumamoto prefectures during September 1975, and in Kagawa prefecture during August 1977. The disease occurs there usually during July to September. The affected plant shows symptom of brown stripe on the sheaths and leaf blades. Bacterial isolates from affected plants proved to be pathogenic to ragi by artifitial spray inoculation, producing similar symptoms to those produced naturally. The bacterium was also pathogenic to corn (Zea mays) and Italian millet (Setaria italica) and produced symptom of brown stripe.
On the basis of bacteriological characteristics and pathogenicity, the tested bacterium was identified as Pseudomonas alboprecipitans Rosen 1922. P. panici, P. setariae and P. eleusineae were suggested to be synonymous with P. alboprecipitans from taxonomic considerations.
