VIEW ARTICLE

Special Topics

Phage Typing and Lysotype Distribution of Xanthomonas campestris. K. W. Liew, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu 96822; A. M. Alvarez, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu 96822. Phytopathology 71:274-276. Accepted for publication 1 July 1980. Copyright 1981 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-71-274.

Eleven phages of Xanthomonas campestris were tested and found to be species specific. An assembled group of 145 X. campestris strains also was spot-tested against the phages at titers of 100 × routine-test-dilution. Based on differences in lytic patterns, a phage-typing scheme was proposed that utilizes five phages for differentiation of the bacteria into two major lysotypes designated A and B. Subtypes were distinguished by their differential lytic responses to the typing phages used to identify the major lysotypes. A group of 26 bacterial strains could not be typed because they were resistant to the phages. The geographical distribution of lysotypes based on bacterial origins also was presented.