Predictive modelling of the combined effect of temperature and water activity on the in vitro growth of Erwinia spp. infecting potato tubers in Belgium

Erwinia carotovora ssp. atroseptica (Eca), Erwinia carotovora ssp. carotovora (Ecc) and Erwinia chrysanthemi (Ech), are the main cause of potato tuber decay (soft rot) in storage and stem rot in the field (blackleg). The bacteria are characterized by the production of several extracellular pectic enzymes among them Pectate Lyase (PEL) activity is the most important key of pathogenesis. It has been reported that ecological parameters such as humidity and temperature, greatly influence the disease development. The objective of this work was to determine the in vitro effect of water activity (0.9... Mehr ...