Characterization of Xanthomonas campestris pv. pruni strains from different hosts by pathogenicity tests and analysis of whole-cell fatty acids and whole-cell proteins

Strains of Xanthomonas campestris pv, pruni obtained from Prunus arnieniaca, P. domestica. P. persica and P. salicina in different geographical areas were compared for pathogenicity, fatty acid and wholecell protein analysis. Four strains, one per each host plant, were inoculated at the same time, on the foliage of P. armeniaca, P. avium, P. persica and P. salicina cultivars. Mean content of fatty acids of X.c. pv. pruni strains were also compared with those of many strains of X.c. pv. campestris, pv. graminis, pv, hyacinthii, pv. petargonii and pv. vasculorum. Strains showed a remarkable homogeneity in fatty acids cotitent and whole-cell protein profiles and principal component and cluster analysis did not reveal any grouping according to original host or geographical origin. However, X.c. pv, pruni strains can be grouped apart from the other X. campestris pathovars. There appears to be no pathogenic specialization anaong the strains tested, however, they varied in aggressiveness to host plants and host plant in susceptibility. The most of the strains were able to cross-infect species other that from where they were originally isolated, although, P. avium did not show any symptom of disease. P. persica cv. Sentry and P. salicina cv. Globe Sun, recently licensed as resistant to X.c. pv. pruni. were infected, although to a lesser extent, by some strains.