New OSU Study Shows Persistent Airborne Spread of Carrot Disease

By Chris Branam

However, Oregon farmers face a persistent and costly threat—a disease called bacterial blight, caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas hortorum pv. carotae (Xhc). This pathogen can cause blighted leaves, damaged flowers and infested seeds — ultimately reducing seed quality and yields. 

While previous research showed that Xhc can become airborne during harvest and travel up to a mile, there was a critical knowledge gap: When else and how often is the bacterium airborne throughout the year? Without knowing when the pathogen spreads, farmers and researchers couldn't effectively time disease management strategies.