Use of the Root-Dipping Inoculation Method in Testing Tomatoes for Wilt Resistance

Abstract

This paper presents some experiments dealing with the effectiveness of the root-dipping method of inoculation in testing tomatoes for resistance to bacterial wilt. In the several trials performed more than 90 percent of the inoculated seedlings wilted and died when root-dipped in the suspension of the bacterial pathogen. We did not observe the pronounced stunting of growth of seedlings which, according to other investigators who have used this method, precludes the employment of this technique of inoculation. In our opinion the root-dipping method of inoculation should be a valuable adjunct in testing for resistance to bacterial wilt.