Report on Fungus, Bacterial and other Diseases of Crops in England and Wales for the Years 1943–1946

Abstract

THE number of plant diseases, or at least the measure of man's awareness of them, is constantly increasing. Mr. W. C. Moore records twenty-six new diseases and twenty-one new host records during the four years 1943–46. It is possible, however that only one of these new enemies—bacterial canker of tomato—is likely to add a serious challenge to plant pathologists. The disease, caused by the organism Corynebacterium michiganense, has appeared on outdoor tomatoes, mostly in the south-east of England, where some of the outbreaks have involved the death of considerable numbers of plants. The bulletin, however, does more than record the appearance of new diseases ; it also assesses the status of pathogens which are recognized already. There is a growing tendency for advisory plant pathologists to become more truly quantitative in their estimates of disease, and Mr. Moore draws freely from the reports of his advisory colleagues and other collaborators. Graphs show the comparative phenology of potato blight in Cornwall, Devon and Yorkshire show the present position of diseases which are extending geographically, such as red core of strawberries, bacterial canker of tomatoes, asparagus rust, onion smut, and grey bulb rot of tulip. The results of surveys of take-all of wheat, yellows of sugar beet, wart disease of potatoes, and Didymella stem-rot of tomato are also given.

Report on Fungus, Bacterial and other Diseases of Crops in England and Wales for the Years 1943–1946

By W. C. Moore. (Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Bulletin No. 139.) Pp. vi+90+12 plates. (London: H.M. Stationery Office, 1948.) 2s. 6d. net.