Determination of Fire Blight Susceptibility on Wild Rosaceae Plants in Korea by Artificial Inoculation

The fire blight caused by Erwinia amylovora (Ea) is a devastating disease of Rosaceae plants, including commercially important apple and pear trees. Since the first report in Korea May 2015, it has been spreading to neighboring regions gradually. Host plants can be infected pollinators like bees, rainfall accompanied wind, cultural practices such as pruning. Many studies have revealed that wild Cotoneaster spp., Crataegus Pyracantha Prunus Sorbus spp. reservoirs Ea nature. However, not examined yet whether they are susceptible blight. Therefore, susceptibility was with 25 species 10 genera which were collected during 2020–2022, artificial inoculation. Bacterial suspension (10<sup>8</sup> cfu/ml) type strain TS3128 inoculated artificially flowers, leaves, stems, fruits each plant species, development symptoms monitored. Moreover, presence bacteria from samples checked conventional polymerase chain reaction. Total 14 showed blight, detected inside parts. These results suggest growing nearby commercial orchards reservoirs, thus should monitored regularly minimize damage infection spreading.