Erwinia amylovora is a Gram negative, rod-shaped bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae. It was the first bacterium identified as a plant pathogen and was shown to be the causative agent of the necrotic disease fireblight. The most economically important hosts are apple and pear, however infection can occur in a range of other plants including Cotoneaster, Cratagus and Pyracantha. During severe disease outbreaks, the rapid spread of bacteria through host tissue can lead to the loss of entire trees in a single growing season. E. amylovora infection of blossom can greatly reduce crop yield and marketability. Fireblight is therefore a highly destructive disease and is of major economic concern to fruit growers world-wide.

For research use only and NOT intended for in vitro diagnostics.