Bacterial Wilt Suppression in Susceptible Eggplants Latently Infected with Ralstonia solanacearum

Abstract

We hypothesized that latently infected eggplants inoculated with Ralstonia solanacearum by root inoculation without wounding would suppress bacterial wilt. To prove this hypothesis, latently infected eggplants were further challenged by inoculation in root wounds. Latently infected eggplants resulted in bacterial wilt suppression compared with control plants inoculated with sterile distilled water at the primary inoculation. Furthermore, the influences of light intensity during plant culturing and plant age on bacterial wilt suppression were investigated. It was clear that eggplants grown under high light intensity were protected against bacterial wilt. Furthermore, younger seedlings at the time of inoculation, a higher degree of bacterial wilt suppression was observed. These results indicate the importance of environmental regulation during plant growth when susceptible plants are inoculated with microorganisms to suppress bacterial wilt.