HISTORY OF PHYTOBACTERIOLOGY

1901-1925

1905 (Biffen) Genetics of plant disease resistance, control of rusts and control of wilts of cotton, cowpea, watermelon etc through the development of resistant varieties.  1907 (E.F Smith and C.O. Townswnd) first demonstrated the cause and nature of crown gall in cultivated crops. 1908 Establishment of American Phytopathological society. 1909 (L.R. Jones) Pioneering investigations on the pectinolytic enzymes secreted by soft rot bacteria.

1910 (C.O. Jenson) First relate crown galls of plants to cancer disease in animals 1917 (Herelle)Discovered bacteriophages which can attack and destroy the bacteria. 1925 (G H coons and J.C. kotila) Isolated Bacteriophages of Bacillus carotovorus 1925 (J. Johnson and W.F. Murwin) Proposed the role of toxin in wildfire disease of tobacco.