Excess copper in soil as a factor affecting bacterial spots caused by Xanthomonas vesicatoria in tomato plants; bio-interaction between two stress factors and their influence on plants

The investigations presented in this paper focus on studying the influence of excess soil copper levels in young tomato plants and their relationship to bacterial spot severity caused by Xanthomonas vesicatoria race T3. The plants were grown under greenhouse conditions in pots containing soil artificially contaminated with copper in concentrations of 250 and 400 mg kg. Both stress factors were applied individually and in combination. Soil copper levels did influence bacterial spot severity. The copper doses applied restricted bacterial spot growth. Strongest responses were observed when the pathogen was infiltrated into seeds. Deformations of plant, as well as increased plastid synthesis inhibition occurred when the plants were exposed to copper and X. vesicatoria. The applicability of the investigation is related to the fight against bacterial spot caused by X. vesicatoria in tomatoes grown on copper-polluted soils. In this case, the remedial action should be carried out very carefully in order to avoid additional damage to plants. © 2008 Franciszek Górski Institute of Plant Physiology, Polish Academy of Sciences.