Transmission of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris by the fly Calliphora vomitoria to blooming cauliflower plants (Brassica oleracea)

Summary in the original language of the document

Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) is a seed borne pathogen that causes black rot, a destructive disease of cabbage. Exclusion of infec-tions is the most effective way to control black rot in organic seed production. Within this frame, the role of insects in transmission of Xcc to seed was deter-mined. It was found that Xcc survived for three days on flies (Calliphora vomitoria), used for pollination of cabbage plants in tunnels and greenhouses. In tunnel experiments, both the use of Xcc-contaminated flies and brush inoculation of flowers with Xcc resulted in internal seed infections. The implications for seed production are discussed.