Abstract

ROMERO, María E.; RAMALLO, C. Jacqueline  and  PLOPER, L. Daniel. Inhibition of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, causal agent of citrus canker, by a strain of Zymomonas mobilis mobilis isolated from sugarcane. Rev. ind. agríc. Tucumán [online]. 2008, vol.85, n.1, pp.19-24. ISSN 1851-3018.

Zymomonas mobilis mobilis (Zm) produces antimicrobial factors, which have an effect on a wide range of microorganisms pathogenic to man, animals, and plants. An important problem to solve with antimicrobial treatments is the development of resistance in these microorganisms, including phytopathogenic bacteria, to the currently used active ingredients. In this study, antagonism tests with cells (cross-streaking) and cell-free culture supernatants (CCS) (agar diffusion test) from Zm cultures, isolated from sugarcane juice in Tucumán, were carried out, measuring activity against Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc), the causal agent of citrus canker. Xcc isolates sensitive (Xc) and resistant (Xcr) to copper pesticides were included in these tests. Results showed that indicator bacteria were completely inhibited by cells of Zm, which had a bactericide effect. Both Xc and Xcr were sensitive to the CCS in the agar diffusion method. Previous studies had revealed the deleterious effects of metabolites from Zm on cell membranes of E. coli AB1133, inhibiting the respiration of the bacteria inmediately after CCS addition. On the basis of these results, the effects of CCS on Xcc respiration were studied, verifyng a similar response. This would indicate that the site of action of these antimicrobial compounds is also located at the cell membrane of the bacteria under study. Based on these results, additional studies are suggested to evaluate Zm-derived products on the control of diseases that affect economically important crops, such as citrus canker.

Keywords : Biological control; Antimicrobial factors; Phytopathogenic bacteria.

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