GERANIUM
Infected
plants show yellowing, wilting, and browning of lower leaves eventually
followed by necrosis and plant death. After
initial infection, wilt may appear within two weeks.
During disease development, the leaves turn
chlorotic and eventually necrotic. Vascular
discoloration in the stem is common, and the stem rots from the inside
out. Occasionally, the roots may turn
brown. Southern wilt or bacterial wilt may
be
distinguished from bacterial blight caused by Xanthomonas
campestris pv. pelargonii
by the lack of leaf spots and the pronounced vascular discoloration (2).
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Geranium plant exhibiting initial wilting
of lower leaves.
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An infected geranium plant showing
initial yellowing of lower leaves.
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(Photos courtsey of C.
Warfield, North
Carolina State University)
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Florist's geranium with developing
southern wilt.
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Internal vascular discoloration
of florist's geranium.
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(Photos courtsey of R.K.
Jones, APS Press)
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