Comparing Acidovorax citrulli strains from melon and watermelon: Phenotypic characteristics, pathogenicity and genetic diversity

Melon and watermelon bacterial fruit blotch, incited by Acidovorax citrulli, is limited to some areas in Brazil but causes important losses, mainly in melon-producing regions. Although genetic diversity has been observed among strains belonging to the species, they are considered a homogeneous group based on the fact that they show only slight physiological or nutritional differences. The objective of this study was to compare Brazilian strains from melon and watermelon by means of biochemical, pathogenicity, serological and molecular assays. Fifteen biochemical tests, cross inoculation betwee...