A Monogenic Dominant Resistance of Tomato to Bacterial Wilt in Hawaii 7996 is Associated with Plant Colonization by <em>Pseudomonas solanacearum</em>.

Hawaii 7996, a tomato cultivar resistant to bacterial wilt caused by P. solanacearum was crossed with Floradel, a susceptible cultivar and the F1 and F2 seeds were obtained. Inoculated plants were tested in the field for bacterial wilt resistance and colonization by P. solanacearum. The F1 did not wilt and a significant 3:1 segregation for non wilting: wilting was observed in the F2, indicating a monogenic dominant resistsance in Hawaii 7996. In the F2 and in Hawaii 7996, resistance was associated to the limitation of bacterial spread in the stem. The degree of resistance of Floradel, the F2 and Hawai 7996 was correlated to colonization at midstem. The usefulness of plant colonization criteria for breeding programs is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]