CHARACTERIZATION OF SPANISH ISOLATES OF PSEUDOMONAS-CORRUGATA FROM TOMATO AND PEPPER

Pseudomonas was isolated from tomato plants with pith necrosis collect ed from different areas in Spain and from pepper plants with pith necr osis in Tenerife (Canary Islands). Cultural, biochemical and physiolog ical characteristics of isolates from both hosts were similar to those of the type strain of P. corrugata. Serological heterogeneity was obs erved among isolates of P. corrugata in immunofluorescence tests. A pl asmid of more than 273 MDa was detected in all the isolates. Inoculati on of pepper and tomato plants with isolates from both hosts caused si milar pith necrosis. This is apparently the first report of P. corruga ta on pepper.