Title

Detecting bacterial spot on tomatoes and peppers is the first step to controlling the disease.

Relevance

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Bell peppers consistently rank as one of the most popular vegetables eaten in the United States. Other peppers including sweet types and spicy ones such as green chiles are popular as well. According to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. producers harvested more than 31,000 acres of bell peppers and more than 10,000 acres of chili peppers in 2021, with a combined production value of more than $536 million. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://www.nass.usda.gov/Quick_Stats/Ag_Overview/stateOverview.php?state=FLORIDA"},"insert":"Tomatoes bring Florida farmers $500 million annually. "},{"insert":" Nationally, that figure rises to about $2.7 billion million. But a disease called bacterial spot costs those growers $50 million a year in damage to their tomatoes. That’s why scientists like University of Florida plant pathologist Pam Roberts work to solve the mystery of such diseases. For years, growers have used copper sulfate as the primary treatment for bacterial spot."},{"attributes":{"background":"white","color":"black"},"insert":" "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"white","color":"black"},"insert":"“Bacterial spot on pepper and tomato in Florida is very widespread because we have warm, humid environments that make for ideal conditions,” said Roberts, a professor at the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center. “It is spread throughout the United States and worldwide and can cause losses annually in the millions due to yield reduction and increased management costs.”"},{"insert":"\n"}]}

Response

{"ops":[{"insert":"Since 2019, Roberts has led a USDA-NIFA grant to pinpoint the cause of bacterial spot peppers, a key crop for Southwest Florida and across the country. She works with scientists at UF, the University of Georgia, North Carolina State University, The Ohio State University, USDA_ARS, University of Central Florida, and Auburn University on this grant. Plant pathologists diagnose pathogens and diseases to treat them. Knowing the pathogens causing bacterial spot means growers can use management methods to target the characteristics of that disease. By knowing which type of bacteria you’re dealing with, you can choose the type of bactericides and other control methods that are most effective.\n"}]}

Results

{"ops":[{"insert":"Researchers at UF/IFAS surveyed pepper fields across South Florida and characterized the bacteria for race, copper sensitivity, antibiotic sensitivity and bacteriocin production. Four races were identified, which is information that can be used by growers when selecting resistant pepper plants. Since most strains were found to be copper sensitive, alternative compounds such as those found effective at the University of Georgia (UGA) should be incorporated in spray programs. Naturally occurring bacteriocin production has the potential to work as a biological control method. "},{"attributes":{"background":"white","color":"#0d0d0d"},"insert":"As part of this grant, UF/IFAS is focusing on making plant resistance more durable through breeding. Since many available resistance genes can be overcome by shifting pathogen populations, this work is stacking multiple resistance genes to ensure longevity against all the different races of the bacterial spot pathogen. "},{"insert":"\nAt UGA, scientists have found alternatives as effective as copper, which is not highly effective and can lead to other issues such as plant phytotoxicity and copper accumulation in the soil, which can impact plant roots and beneficial microbes. UGA "},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"scientists observed a reduction in copper reliance among pepper growers, who now incorporate LifeGard, Actigard, and Leap into their spray programs. This has led to a 15% reduction in copper sprays over the last four years. The research also identified "},{"attributes":{"color":"black","italic":true},"insert":"Pseudomonas capsici"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":", which affects a wide range of crops, prompting growers to adjust their crop rotation practices to mitigate risks."},{"insert":"\nAuburn University scientists confirm other reports that the pathogen that causes bacterial spot on tomato is also occurring on peppers. Researchers have documented that "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Xanthomonas perforans"},{"insert":" is becoming more prevalent on pepper, similar to recent discoveries in Florida. This research sheds light on how "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"X. perforans"},{"insert":" has adapted to affect these plants. Additionally, their extensive screening of pepper varieties revealed new, resistant lines against "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"X. gardneri"},{"insert":", opening up exciting possibilities for future breeding efforts.\n\n"}]}

Public Value Statement

{"ops":[{"insert":"Pinpointing the causes of plant diseases helps scientists and growers manage the pathogens, leading to yields that are not lost to disease. This is especially critical for diseases like bacterial spot, which can cause grave damage to tomatoes and peppers. \n"}]}

Primary Focus Area

Agricultural Systems

Secondary Focus Area

None Selected

Impact Statement