A new bacterial disease of jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) caused by Burkholderia andropogonis

A leaf spot of jojoba caused by Burkholderia andropogonis is described for the first time. Symptoms ranged from necrotic flecking with comparatively large watersoaked halos to larger 'eyespot' lesions c. 3 mm in diameter with watersoaked halos 1-1.5 mm wide. The necrosis was light tan in colour. Isolates from jojoba displayed variable pathogenicity to other known hosts of B. andropogonis (Dianthus, Cicer, Gypsophila and sorghum), but were not pathogenic, or only weakly so, to sweetcorn, Limonium and Trifolium. Identification was confirmed by cell-wall fatty acid composition and the bacterium's possession of a single polar flagellum.