OAK DECLINE - AEROBIC-BACTERIA ASSOCIATED WITH DECLINING QUERCUS-CERRIS IN CENTRAL ITALY

Declining Turkey oaks (Quercus cerris) in Central Italy were studied. Bacteria were isolated from woody tissues between necrotic areas and h ealthy tissues beneath the bark, from apparently healthy tissues and f rom exudates oozing from the trunk in spring. A total of 98 bacterial isolates were collected. The determination of the bacteria was by fatt y acid profiling and biochemical tests. Erwinia herbicola was frequent ly found both in necrotic and healthy tissues. Ice-nucleation active s pecies were present. None of the species isolated was considered respo nsible for the decline.