Occurrence and distribution of biovars of Ralstonia solanacearum in the State of Rio Grande do Sul were assessed by harvesting potato (Solanum tuberosum) plants showing bacterial wilt symptoms in the spring of 1999. Plants were collected from 25 potato fields in ten counties in the four main production regions: Serra do Nordeste, Planalto Superior, Depressão Central and Grandes Lagoas. Species and biovar determinations were based on serological test with ELISA and the oxidative metabolism of sugars and alcohols. Ninety-four percent of 490 strains were identified as biovar 2. Occurrence of biovar 1 was recorded in Serra do Nordeste and Depressão Central. The incidence of biovars showed no correlation with local temperature or potato cultivars.
