PHENOTYPIC DIVERSITY OF XANTHOMONAS SP. MANGIFERAEINDICAE

Carbohydrate utilization profiles by means of the API (Appareils et Pr ocedes d'Identification) system and sensitivity to antibiotics and hea vy metal salts of 68 Xanthomonas sp. mangiferaeindicae strains isolate d in nine countries from mango (Mangifera indica L.) and other genera of the Anacardiaceae were examined to assess the variability of the ta xon. The strains could be separated into 10 groups according to Ward c lustering. Apigmented strains isolated from the pepper tree [syn. Braz ilian pepper] (Schinus terebenthifolius Raddi) could not be clearly di fferentiated from most apigmented strains isolated from mango. Yellow- pigmented strains isolated from mango in Brazil and Reunion Island, ap igmented strains isolated from mango in Brazil and from ambarella in t he French West Indies, clustered in distinct groups. The results are c onsistent with those of other studies, based on isozyme analysis of es terase, phosphoglucomutase and superoxide dismutase, and Arp-RFLP anal ysis; they indicate the need for a comprehensive taxonomic evaluation of xanthomonads associated with Anacardiaceae.