The Effects of Temperature, pH, and Bactericides on the Growth of Erwinia pyrifoliae and Erwinia amylovora

In this comparative study, the effects of temperature, pH, and bactericides on the growth of Erwinia pyrifoliae and Erwinia amylovora were investigated. The maximum temperature for the growth of both Erwinia species was estimated to be $36{\circ}C$. The maximum specific growth rates of E. pyrifoliae and E. amylovora were observed at $27{\circ}C$ and $28{\circ}C$, respectively, and no significant growth differences were shown at their optimum temperatures. However, at lower temperatures ranging from 12-$21{\circ}C$, E. pyrifoliae showed higher growth rates with doubling times shorter than those of E. amylovora. Distinct growth rates at these temperatures revealed that E. pyrifoliae is more cold-tolerant than E. amylovora. The optimum pH for the growth of both pathogens was 7.5 and growth was not seen at pH ${\le}$ 5.0 and ${\ge}$ 10.0. These results showed that the effect of pH on the growth of E. pyrifoliae and E. amylovora was similar. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of copper sulfate, oxolinic acid, streptomycin, and tetracycline, which inhibited growth of E. pyrifoliae and E. amylovora, were determined. The strains of both pathogens were able to grow at 0.08-0.32 mM copper sulfate, but not at higher concentrations. However, none of the tested strains grew in the presence of oxolinic acid (0.001 mM), streptomycin (0.1 mM), and tetracycline (0.01 mM) concentrations. These results suggested that all strains of both Erwinia species were sensitive to tested bactericides and indicated no occurrence of resistant strains of E. pyrifoliae in Korea.