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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1982 June; 43(6): 1335-1342

Identity and Behavior of Xylem-Residing Bacteria in Rough Lemon Roots of Florida Citrus Trees

John M. Gardner, Albert W. Feldman and Robert M. Zablotowicz

Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, Florida 33850

ABSTRACT

An aseptic vacuum extraction technique was used to obtain xylem fluid from the roots of rough lemon (Citrus jambhiri Lush.) rootstock of Florida citrus trees. Bacteria were consistently isolated from vascular fluid of both healthy and young tree decline-affected trees. Thirteen genera of bacteria were found, the most frequently occurring genera being Pseudomonas (40%), Enterobacter (18%), Bacillus, Corynebacterium, and other gram-positive bacteria (16%), and Serratia (6%). Xylem bacterial counts fluctuated seasonally. Bacterial populations ranged from 0.1 to 22 per mm³ of root tissue (about 10² to 2 x 10⁴ bacteria per g of xylem) when bacterial counts were made on vascular fluid, but these numbers were 10- to 1,000-fold greater when aseptically homogenized xylem tissue was examined similarly. Some of the resident bacteria (4%) are potentially phytopathogenic. It is proposed that xylem bacteria have an important role in the physiology of citrus.

Present address: Allied Chemical Co., P.O. Box 6, Solvay, NY 13209.

Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations journal series no. 3481.

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