Symptomatology and etiology of bacterial blight of cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz)

Abstract

The bacterial blight of cassava was observed in Trivandrum, Kerala, during 1975 and since then its sporadic incidence was reported form other regions also. The symptoms manifested as blighting of leaves, defoliation, die-back, necrosis of stem, decay of roots (tubers) and wilting of plants. The causative bacterium was isolated and its pathogenicity established by artificial inoculation. Based on the morphological, physiological and biochemical characters of the bacterium and the symptoms produced by it, the pathogen causing the blight of cassava was identified as Xanthomonas manihotis fArthaud-Berthet) Starr.