Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 5, 2026
10:35
In vivo and In vitro Infection of Potato Roots with Plant Parasitic Nematodes for the Assessment of Induced Structural Changes
Published on: February 28, 2025
940
Flooding-Associated Soft Rot of Sweetpotato Storage Roots Caused by Distinct Clostridium Isolates
Washington L da Silva1,2, Kuei-Ting Yang3, Gregg S Pettis1,3
1Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803.
Plant Disease
|October 24, 2019
Summary
Flooding causes soft rot in sweetpotatoes, with two new bacterial strains identified as Clostridium species. These findings highlight the risk of multiple Clostridium species causing sweetpotato soft rot and potentially affecting other crops.
Area of Science:
- Plant Pathology
- Bacteriology
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Flooding of sweetpotato fields, particularly in the southeastern US, is increasing and causes significant soft rot disease.
- Soft rot in sweetpotato storage roots occurs during submersion or post-harvest, leading to substantial crop loss.
- Understanding the bacterial agents responsible for sweetpotato soft rot is crucial for disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize the bacterial causative agents of soft rot in flooded sweetpotato fields.
- To determine if multiple bacterial species within the Clostridium genus are responsible for this disease.
- To assess the pathogenicity of isolated strains on sweetpotatoes and other vegetable crops.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of bacterial strains from soft-rotted sweetpotato storage roots.
- Identification of isolates using housekeeping gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.
- Pathogenicity assays on sweetpotato and other vegetable crops to confirm disease causation.
Main Results:
- Two distinct, anaerobic, spore-forming bacterial strains were isolated and identified as Clostridium species.
- Both isolates caused soft rot symptoms on sweetpotato and other vegetable crops.
- Phylogenetic analysis revealed the isolates belong to separate clades within the Clostridium genus, indicating distinct species.
Conclusions:
- Multiple plant-pathogenic Clostridium species can cause soft rot disease in sweetpotatoes.
- The identified Clostridium strains pose a significant threat to sweetpotato production, especially under flooded conditions.
- Other plant hosts may also be susceptible to soft rot caused by these bacterial species, warranting further investigation.
