Pierce's Disease
Research Updates

piercesdisease.cdfa.ca.gov

What is Pierce's Disease?

Pierce's Disease is a bacterial infection, which is spread by bugs that feed on grapevines, particularly the "glassy winged sharpshooter." Grapevines that become infected with PD can quickly become sick and die.

glassy-winged sharpshooter

Redution of the symptoms caused by Xylella fastidiosa subsp pauca through application of benzothiadiazole and silicon


  • Author(s): Azevedo, JL; Guzzo, SD; Lacava, PT; Martinati, JC; Miyasawa, SKS; Tsai, SM;
  • Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of benzothiadiazole (BTH) and silicon applications on the control of the disease caused by Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca on Nicotiana tabacum. The experiments were carried out under greenhouse conditions, where X fastidiosa (9a5c strain) containing 4.7x 10(7) CFU mL(-1) was inoculated in N. tabacum plants. The BTH and silicon treatments consisted of BTH (0.6 and 1.2 mM) application to plant leaves, and sodium metasilicate solution (2 and 4 mu M of Si) application to soil. Plants of N. tabacum treated with BTH showed no reduction in symptoms. However, plants treated with sodium metasilicate (source of Si) were rendered asymptomatic. Disease resistance induced by Si can be useful to control citrus variegated chlorosis.
  • Publication Date: Aug 2007
  • Journal: Pesquisa Agropecuaria Brasileira