Characteristics of Strains of Pseudomonas solanacearum from the French West Indies

Abstract

Twenty-four strains of Pseudomonas solanacearum isolated from five host plants [Lycopersicon esculentum, Solanum melongena, Capsicum annuum, S. tuberosum, Ensete ventricosum] at different locations in Martinique and Guadeloupe were compared with respect to results of physiological and biochemical tests and to pathogenicity on seven different hosts. On the basis of Hayward''s classification, six strains were placed in biovar I, one in biovar II, and 17 in biovar III. On the basis of pathogenicity tests, all but one of the 24 strains were placed in race 1; the exception (from Guadeloupe) was placed in race 3.