Fast classification of plant-associated bacteria in theXanthomonasgenus

A rapid method for identifying Xanthomonas bacteria was developed, based on specific PCR amplification. In all Xanthomonas pathovars tested, a single 16S rDNA fragment of 480 bp was produced. Phytobacteria from other genera showed other fragment patterns on agarose gel electrophoresis. This Xanthomonas identification system was used to screen Xanthomonas-related organisms, newly isolated phytobacteria and bacterial populations in wheat seed extracts.