Isolation of Bacteria Isolated From Diseased Cotton Bolls From South Texas

Boll rots have caused a reduction in yield and lint quality, and increased contaminated seed. During 2011, a field survey was conducted throughout the Coastal Bend and Rio Grande Valley to determine the incidence of cotton boll rot. Bolls, ranging from 0.9” to 1.1”exhibiting insect or environmental damage were collected, dissected, ground, and plated on Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA). Colonies were speciated by fatty acid testing.  Preliminary results indicate that less than 1% of the bolls were infected with opportunistic endophytic bacteria.  Koch’s Postulates are currently being conducted to determine pathogenicity.  The survey will be repeated in the 2012 season. Determining pathogenicity will improve upon the knowledge of bacteria that may be associated with boll rot.