The bacterial disease of ash (Fraxinus excelsior), caused by Pseudomonas syringae subsp. savastanoi pv. Fraxini II. Etiology and taxonomic considerations

The results of studies of various bacteria isolated from characteristic excrescences of the so-called bacterial canker of common ash are reported. A fungus (formerly known as Plenodomus rabenhorstii Preuss) associated with this disease, is described and renamed as Phoma riggenbachii Boerema et Janse. Based on biochemical, serological and pathological work the name Pseudomonas syringae subsp. savastanoi (ex Smith) subsp. nov., nom. rev. pv. fraxini is proposed for the ash bacterium. The closely related causal organisms of olive and oleander have been compared and named pv. oleae and pv. nerii.