Causal Agent Bacterial Wilt of Tomato

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	The bacterium that causes bacterial wilt is Ralstonia solanacearum, formerly known as Pseudomonas solanacearum. This is a complex species. The strains of the species can be grouped into races based on their pathogenic behavior on different host crops. They can be grouped into biovars based on their ability to utilize various carbohydrates under laboratory tests.
	To test plant resistance, the bacterium can be multiplied on artificial medium in the laboratory and inoculated onto plants under controlled conditions.
	Strains of R. solanacearum can be characterized by pathogenic behavior to different hosts. For example, Race 1 infects pepper and tomato and some other solanaceous hosts; other races are known to infects other hosts. Also strains can be characterized by their survival capacity and their ability to utilize various carbohydrates under laboratory tests.
	Ralstonia solanacearum lives and survives in the soil. The cells of the bacterium enter the roots of plants either through wounds made by other soil inhabitants like insects or nematodes, or wounds caused by the root growth. Once inside the plant, the bacterium plugs the water-conducting vascular system.

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