Bacterial wilt, a new disease of balsam pear caused by Ralstonia solanacearum

A new bacterial wilt was found on balsam pear (Momordica charantia L.) in Okinawa, Japan in October 1999. The causal bacterium was identified by its bacteriological characteristics as Ralstonia solanacearum, and the name “bacterial wilt” was proposed for the disease.