Current status of bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) disease in major tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) growing areas in Egypt

A survey was carried out to determine the current status of bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) disease in major tomato growing areas in Egypt incidence and distribution. In the 2014/2015 cropping season in major tomato growing areas of Upper and Lower Egypt. In upper highest incidence of bacterial wilt occurred in Luxour Governorate (10.29%) and lowest in Al- Giza Governorate (9.41%). Wilt severity was recorded (3.44%) in Luxour Governorate and the lowest (2.60%) was recorded in Sohag Governorate. In Lower Egypt Governorates, the highest disease incidence was recorded in Al- Behiera (15.28%) followed by Al-Daqahlia, (13.23), Al- Gharbia (12.41), Kafr Al- Shikh(12.70) and Al- Sharqia (12.14) Governorates. The lowest disease incidence recorded in Al- Suiz Governorate (10.27%), followed by 11.28, 11.58 and 11.67% in Al- Qalioubia, Al- Ismailia and Al- Minoufia Governorates respectively. The highest bacterial wilt severity was recorded in Al- Behiera Governorate, fields (5.70%), followed by Al- Gharbia (4.60%), while the lowest bacterial wilt severity was recorded in Al- Suiz Governorate (2.63%), followed by 3.30, in Al- Qalioubia Governorate. All the collected plants were subjected to PCR to detect the infected samples. The expected 288 bp amplicon was detected in bacterial wilt infected samples from above mentioned governorates and diseases percentage and severity were calculated