Biology and Epidemiology of Erwinia rhapontici, Causal Agent of Pink Seed and Crown Rot of Plants

Erwinia rhapontici is one of the few bacterial species that produces a distinct diffusible pink pigment on sucrose-peptone agar. It is an opportunistic plant pathogen that attacks a wide range of hosts causing pink seed and crown rot or soft rot. This review article summarizes current research progress on this unique seed and crown rot or soft rot. This review article summarizes current research progress on this unique bacterial pathogen, in the areas of disease occurrence, causal agent, host range, and control measures. The review also identifies the need for future research, particularly in the areas of epidemiology, ecology and control of the disease, as well as research to determine if E. rhapol1tici is a potential foodborne pathogen for humans and other animals.