Southern bacterial wilt caused by Pseudomonas solanacearum, E.F. Smith, a soil borne bacterial pathogen, is one of the most threatening plant diseases in the Caribbean, and elsewhere in the hot humid tropics. The disease affects all solanaceous crops; eggplant, pepper, tomato and tobacco. Ho one control measure is effective against this disease, but varietal resistance combined with adequate cultural practices is effective. Though some soils were known to be resistant (black clay vertisols), the disease appeared recently in such soils . . In 1966, a local wild tomato, CRA 66, was found resistant to the disease in Guadeloupe. eRA 66 was used in breeding for resistance which led to the release of cv, Caraibo, whose resistance has been assessed worldwide. Other resistant sources, such as PI 126408, Hawaii 7996 and introductions from Taiwan (AVRDC) and Japan, are used in our current breeding program to ensure stability of the resistance.