First Record of Pectobacterium sp. on Sunflower Plants in Syria

Abstract

During the growing seasons of 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, distinct symptoms on sunflower plants were observed in the Damascus countryside governorate. In this study, Pectobacterium sp. was isolated for the first time from sunflower plants in Syria. Plant samples showing disease symptoms were collected (blackening, rotting, creamy exudates, foam production) during the 2022-2023 season from 9 locations of the Eastern Ghouta region, Damascus countryside governorate (Al-Nashabiaa, Hazrama, Al-Ahmadia), and bacteria were isolated from these samples. Diseased samples were characterized by the presence of ulcers, creamy and foamy secretions, in addition to variegated brown areas on the stem and flower disc. Seven bacterial isolates were obtained and tested by biochemical tests. In addition, to satisfy Koch’s postulates, artificial inoculation of sunflower plants with these isolates were conducted, and characteristic symptoms were reproduced. The results obtained showed that two bacterial isolates were identified as P. carotovorum and one bacterial isolate as P. atrosepticum.

Keywords:

Sunflowers, biochemical tests, first record, Syria.