SHOOT-TIP CULTURE OF MUSCADINE GRAPE TO ELIMINATE PIERCES DISEASE BACTERIA

Pierce's disease, caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al., is widespread among muscadine grapes (Vitis rotundifolia Michx). To determine whether shoot-tip culture would be effective in eliminating X. fastidiosa, shoot tips of infected grape plants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium amended with 9-mu-m benzyladenine. Shoots and callus that developed tested negative for the presence of X. fastidiosa. Shoot-tip culture appears to be a promising method of obtaining muscadine grape plants free of Pierce's disease. Chemical name used: 6-benzylaminopurine (benzyladenine).