Detection, quantification and characterization of Erwinia carotovora ssp carotovora contaminating pepper seeds

Erwinia carotovora ssp. carotovora (Ecc) was isolated from commercial peppe r (Capsicum annuum) seed lots and identified according to biochemical and p athogenicity tests, cellular fatty acid composition, and PCR reaction with primers based on the pel gene sequence. RAPD-PCR analysis using nine arbitr ary primers showed similarity between Ecc isolates obtained from pepper. Ec c isolates from pepper, tomato, potato and cabbage formed four distinct gro ups, according to the original host. A natural Ecc population higher than 1 00 CFU g(-1) seed significantly affected seed germination. A significant co rrelation between the level of Ecc on the seeds and the percentage of disea sed seedlings was also observed. Surface sterilization of the seeds with so dium hypochlorite eliminated the pathogen, indicating that the bacteria wer e located on the surface of the seeds. Contaminated pepper seeds can be a p rimary and important source of inoculum.