VIEW ARTICLE

Physiology and Biochemistry

Serological Analysis of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato. H. B. Fackrell, Associate professor, Department of Biology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada N9B 3P4; R. C. Sinha, principal research scientist, Chemistry and Biology Research Institute, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C6. Phytopathology 73:178-181. Accepted for publication 20 July 1982. Copyright 1983 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-73-178.

Antibodies were developed to the somatic, flagellar, cytoplasmic, and extracellular antigens of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato. Precipitin tests were of little diagnostic value since antibodies to the cytoplasmic and extracellular antigens cross-reacted with antigens of other bacteria and plant extracts. Conversely, agglutination tests were stable, sensitive, and differential. Long-term immunization increased titers to the somatic and flagellar antigens to 16,000 and reduced cross-reactivity. Elimination of polysaccharides from the immunogen and from the test antigen further reduced cross-reactivity.