Xanthomonas vasicola
Xanthomonas vasicola pv. vasculorum (Xvv) is a gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium which has a single polar flagellum. It is a plant pathogen, causing both bacterial leaf streak of maize (corn) and sugarcane gumming disease. One outbreak in eucalyptus has been reported. Under experimental conditions it can infect sorghum, oats and some grass species. It is not currently a quarantine pathogen in any country, but it has already spread outside its native range and is highly adaptable to different environments.
| Xanthomonas vasicola | |
|---|---|
| Typical symptoms of bacterial leaf streak on maize leaf caused by Xanthomonas vasicola pv. vasculorum | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Bacteria |
| Phylum: | Pseudomonadota |
| Class: | Gammaproteobacteria |
| Order: | Xanthomonadales |
| Family: | Xanthomonadaceae |
| Genus: | Xanthomonas |
| Species: | X. vasicola |
| Binomial name | |
| Xanthomonas vasicola Cobb 1894 | |
The means of dispersal are not yet confirmed. Similar Xanthomonas pathogens are spread via wind-blown water droplets, irrigation, agricultural machinery and movement of infected plants. There are no known insect vectors.
Like other members of the Xanthomonas genus, it forms yellow colonies when grown on agar and secretes abundant xanthan exopolysaccharides.