Identification and pathogenicity of Pseudomonas cichorii associated with a bacterial blight of gerbera in the Federal District

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In 2013, leaf samples of gerbera plants showing symptoms of bacterial blight were collected in cut-flower high tunnels, in the settlement of núcleo rural alexandre gusmão, located in brazlândia, distrito federal, brazil. seven isolates obtained were subjected to phenotypic and molecular characterization, including pathogenicity tests, lopat, and partial sequencing of the 16s rdna gene. all isolates were gram-negative, aerobic, oxidase-positive, produced fluorescent pigment, induced hypersensitivity in tobacco leaves, used sorbitol and glutamate and were pathogenic to 24 different plant species. results of these tests and analysis of the sequences of rdna showed 100% identity with pseudomonas cichorii. to our knowledge, this is the first report of p. cichorii in gerbera in the federal district.