Leifsonia xyli-like bacteria are endophytes of grasses in eastern Australia

Abstract

Bacteria serologically related to Leifsonia xyli ssp. xyli, the causal bacterium of ratoon stunting disease (RSD) in sugarcane, were detected using the fluorescent antibody direct count on filter (FADCF) technique in grasses in eastern Australia. In a survey of 191 grass, sedge and bullrush samples comprising 53 plant species, 90 (47%) of the samples tested harboured bacteria which reacted positively with L. xyli ssp. xyli polyclonal antiserum. A total of 18 grass species was found to be naturally colonised with bacteria serologically related to and morphologically similar to L. xyli ssp. xyli. Grasses colonised by these L. xyli-like bacteria were present in areas both adjacent to, and remov..