Geranium

Key warning symptoms:

  • Spots, ringspots
  • Mosaic
  • Wilt
  • Chlorosis
  • Necrotic spotting

The most economically destructive disease of geraniums is bacterial blight, caused by Xanthomonas hortorum pv. pelargonii (Xcp). Symptoms can include small water-soaked or brown spots on the undersides of leaves, yellowed wedge-shaped areas on leaves, and black, collapsed stems. Xhp most often occurs in plants grown from infected cuttings, but can be spread to healthy plants by water splashing of contaminated soil, insects, dirty hands, or contaminated tools. Hanging baskets of ivy geraniums infected with Xhp can transmit the bacteria by water splash to other geraniums grown under or near them.

We have multiple Xcp tests, each has a different speed, sensititivity, and application to fit different needs. Our specific ELISA test requires less than 24 hours. If the result is positive, we report it immediately. We can confirm the results using other tests, a polymerase chain reaction test (PCR), bio-assay, and by a culture-enhanced assay, or each of these tests can also be used by itself.

Tobacco ringspot virus, Tomato ringspot virus, Pelargonium ringspot, or a combination of any of the three produce symptoms in geranium which include, yellow or dead spots, rings and line patterns on leaves, fewer flowers and aborted buds. virus. Tomato ringspot and Tobacco ringspot viruses can be spread by soil-borne nematodes, cuttings, and seed. Pelargonium ringspot virus can be spread mechanically and by soil. 

Geranium Screen (7 tests)

Pathogen

Symbol

Cucumber mosaic virus CMV
Pelargonium flower break virus PFBV
Ralstonia (Pseudomonas) solanacearum * Rs
Tobacco mosaic virus TMV
Tobacco ringspot virus TRSV
Tomato ringspot virus ToRSV
Xanthomonas hortorum pv. pelargonii Xhp

 

*Please contact us before sending samples.
 

Other tests available for geranium are:

Pathogen

Symbol

Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli Aac
Impatiens necrotic spot virus INSV
Pelargonium leaf curl virus PLCV
Pelargonium zonate spot virus PZSV
Tomato spotted wilt virus TSWV
Xanthomonas campestris Xc
Carlavirus group test Carla
Nepovirus group test Nepo
Potyvirus group test Poty
Tobamovirus group test Tobamo
Xanthomonas hortorum pv. pelargonii Xcp