Survival of Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesictoria in pepper seeds and roots in symptomless and dry leaves in non-host plants and in the soil

A population of Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria developed as endophytes in the leaves and rhizosphere of apparently symptomless plants grown under mist but not under dry conditions. The pathogen survired for long periods on, and could be isolated from, the surface of infested dried seeds, inoculated sandy loam soil, dried leaves, and the rhizosphere of pepper and of other non-host plants. In addition, small numbers of the pathogen survived for 18 months in a field previously cropped with pepper diseased with bacterial scab. Healthy nursery or mature plants developed symptoms while growing in soil containing infested leaves, either buried or placed on the soil surface.