Charlie Garner

Opinion Editor 

avg6206@psu.edu

For the first time in Pennsylvania, seven new species of bacteria have been found. Researchers at Penn State have been able to identify the bacteria and found that it causes blackleg and soft rot symptoms in Pennsylvania potato farms. 

Between April and October of 2016, 2017 and 2018, 26 potato fields were tested, and potato stems were either received or collected at Penn State’s Plant Disease Clinic. The study found that every plant displayed some or all of the signs associated with blackleg and soft rot, including rotting tubers, wilting, stunting, and prominent black lesions. Bacteria belonging to the Pectobacterium and, more recently, the Dickeya species were the main cause of the conditions. Although it was mentioned that the researchers were aware of several Pectobacterium species, a sizable number of new species have been discovered in recent years. The National Institutes of Health claim that Pectobacterium is a member of the Pectobacteriaceae family. When applied to cacti, fruits, leaves, and roots, characteristics like blackleg and soft rot can occur. Squash, potatoes, carrots, eggplants, and other fleshy vegetables are the ones where the bacteria is most frequently found.

The recent outbreaks have sparked a fresh interest in keeping an eye on both known and unreported ailments in the United States. Dickeya solani, a particular bacteria that was previously linked to outbreaks in Europe that caused serious illness, has lately been the focus of research efforts. In order to carry out the analysis, researchers intend to examine the impacts of infections on potatoes, create surveillance methods specific to each pathogen, and determine whether new management techniques are necessary.