First Report of Bacterial Leaf Scorch Caused by Xylella fastidiosa on Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida

In May of 2008, samples of southern highbush blueberry (interspecific Vaccinium corymbosum hybrids) exhibiting marginal leaf necrosis were collected at a farm in Interlachen, FL. The cv. Star showed severe leaf scorch, partial defoliation, and a generally unthrifty growth structure of many thin twigs as has been observed in Georgia (1). The block of Star plants was approximately 10 years old and incidence of the disease was 100%. The grower reported the planting had become increasingly unproductive in the most recent 4 to 5 years. Plants of the cv. Windsor also showed scorch symptoms and yellow-to-red discoloration of leaves. Proportionally fewer Windsor plants showed disease symptoms than Star plants and the disease was not as severe on this cultivar on the basis of visual estimates at the time. Each sample consisted of 5 to 10 cuttings of spring wood with attached leaves showing marginal necrosis taken from a single plant. Three samples, two from Star plants and one from a Windsor plant, were divided in...