Johnson, K.B. 2000. Fire blight of apple and pear. The Plant Health Instructor. DOI: 10.1094/PHI-I-2000-0726-01
Updated, 2005.

DISEASE:  Fire blight of apple and pear

PATHOGEN:  Erwinia amylovora

HOSTS:  Apple, pear, several rosaceous ornamentals

Author
Kenneth B. Johnson,
Oregon State University

Erwinia amylovora is a native pathogen of wild, rosaceous hosts in eastern North America. It was the first bacterium proven to be a pathogen of plants. Today, fire blight is an important disease of apples and pears in many parts of the world.

Pear shoot with fire blight. (Courtesy K. Johnson)