Evaluation of the Biolog GN MicroPlate System for Identification of Some Plant-Pathogenic Bacteria. J. B. Jones, University of Florida, Gulf Coast Research & Education Center, 5007 60th Street East, Bradenton 34203. A. R. Chase, and G. K. Harris. University of Florida, Central Florida Research & Education Center, 2807 Binion Road, Apopka 32703; and University of Florida, Gulf Coast Research & Education Center, 5007 60th Street East, Bradenton 34203. Plant Dis. 77:553-558. Accepted for publication 19 January 1993. Copyright 1993 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-77-0553.

The Biolog GN MicroPlate system was evaluated for accuracy in identifying gram-negative and gram-positive phytopathogenic bacteria to genus, species, and pathovar. Approximately 1,000 strains of Agrobacterium, Clavibacter, Erwinia, Pseudomonas, and Xanthomonas were compared. Of 79 cultures representing 77 P. syringae strains and eight pathovars, identification to species and pathovar was correct in 100 and 2% of cases, respectively. Of 603 cultures representing 537 X. campestris strains and 28 pathovars, identification to species and pathovar was correct in 97 and 20% of cases, respectively. With E. carotovora and E. chrysanthemi, 22 and 62% of the strains, respectively, were correctly identified to species. After the library was amended by the addition of data on these strains, identification to pathovar was improved for many of the strains in the X. campestris group.