Simultaneous detection and identification of the Xanthomonas species complex associated with tomato bacterial spot using species-specific primers and multiplex PCR

Isolation, characterization, and evaluation of putative new bacteriophages for controlling bacterial spot on tomato in Brazil

Bacterial spot is a highly damaging tomato disease caused by members of several species of the genus Xanthomonas. Bacteriophages have been studied for their potential use in the biological control of bacterial diseases. In the current study, bacteriophages were obtained from soil and tomato leaves in commercial fields in Brazil with the aim of obtaining biological control agents against bacterial spot. Phage isolation was carried out by co-cultivation with isolates of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria pv. perforans, which was prevalent in the collection areas. In a host range evaluation, none of the phage isolates was able to induce a lytic cycle in all of the bacterial isolates tested. In in vivo tests, treatment of susceptible bacterial isolates with the corresponding phage prior to application to tomato plants led to a reduction in the severity of the resulting disease. The level of disease control provided by phage application was equal to or greater than that achieved using copper hydroxide. Electron microscopy analysis showed that all of the phages had similar morphology, with head and tail structures similar to those of viruses belonging to the class Caudoviricetes. The presence of short, non-contractile tubular tails strongly suggested that these phages belong to the family Autographiviridae. This was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis, which further revealed that they all belong to the genus Pradovirus. The phages described here are closely related to each other and potentially belong to a new species within the genus. These phages will be evaluated in future studies against other tomato xanthomonad strains to assess their potential as biological control agents.

copLAB gene prevalence and diversity among Trinidadian Xanthomonas spp. black-rot lesion isolates with variable copper resistance profiles

Background

There has been limited exploration of copLAB genotypes and associated copper resistance phenotypes in Xanthomonas spp. in the southern Caribbean region. An earlier study highlighted a variant copLAB gene cluster found in one Trinidadian Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) strain (BrA1), with <90% similarity to previously reported Xanthomonas copLAB genes. With only one report describing this copper resistance genotype, the current study investigated the distribution of the BrA1 variant copLAB gene cluster and previously reported forms of copper resistance genes in local Xanthomonas spp.

Methods

Xanthomonas spp. were isolated from black-rot infected lesions on leaf tissue from crucifer crops at intensively farmed sites with high agrochemical usage in Trinidad. The identity of morphologically identified isolates were confirmed using a paired primer PCR based screen and 16s rRNA partial gene sequencing. MGY agar amended with CuSO₄.5H₂O up to 2.4 mM was used to establish MIC's for confirmed isolates and group strains as sensitive, tolerant, or resistant to copper. Separate primer pairs targeting the BrA1 variant copLAB genes and those predicted to target multiple homologs found in Xanthomonas and Stenotrophomonas spp. were used to screen copper resistant isolates. Select amplicons were sanger sequenced and evolutionary relationships inferred from global reference sequences using a ML approach.

Results

Only four copper sensitive/tolerant Xanthomonas sp. strains were isolated, with 35 others classed as copper-resistant from a total population of 45 isolates. PCR detection of copLAB genes revealed two PCR negative copper-resistant resistant strains. Variant copLAB genes were only found in Xcc from the original source location of the BrA1 strain, Aranguez. Other copper-resistant strains contained other copLAB homologs that clustered into three distinct clades. These groups were more similar to genes from X. perforans plasmids and Stenotrophomonas spp. chromosomal homologs than reference Xcc sequences. This study highlights the localisation of the BrA1 variant copLAB genes to one agricultural community and the presence of three distinct copLAB gene groupings in Xcc and related Xanthomonas spp. with defined CuSO₄.5H₂O MIC. Further characterisation of these gene groups and copper resistance gene exchange dynamics on and within leaf tissue between Xcc and other Xanthomonas species are needed as similar gene clusters showed variable copper sensitivity profiles. This work will serve as a baseline for copper resistance gene characterisation in Trinidad and the wider Caribbean region and can be used to boost already lacking resistant phytopathogen management in the region.

Two Non-Necrotic Disease Resistance Types Distinctly Affect the Expression of Key Pathogenic Determinants of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria in Pepper

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) carrying the gds (corresponding to bs5) gene can prevent the development of bacterial leaf spot disease without HR. However, little is known regarding the development of the resistance mechanism encoded by gds, especially its influence on the bacterium. Here, the effect of gds was compared with pattern-triggered immunity (PTI), another form of asymptomatic resistance, to reveal the interactions and differences between these two defense mechanisms. The level of resistance was examined by its effect on the bacterial growth and in planta expression of the stress and pathogenicity genes of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria. PTI, which was activated with a Pseudomonas syringae hrcC mutant pretreatment, inhibited the growth of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria to a greater extent than gds, and the effect was additive when PTI was activated in gds plants. The stronger influence of PTI was further supported by the expression pattern of the dpsA bacterial stress gene, which reached its highest expression level in PTI-induced plants. PTI inhibited the hrp/hrc expression, but unexpectedly, in gds plant leaves, the hrp/hrc genes were generally expressed at a higher level than in the susceptible one. These results imply that different mechanisms underlie the gds and PTI to perform the symptomless defense reaction.

A Long-Amplicon Viability-qPCR Test for Quantifying Living Pathogens that Cause Bacterial Spot in Tomato Seed

Bacterial spot is one of the most serious diseases of tomato. It is caused by four species of Xanthomonas: X. euvesicatoria, X. gardneri, X. perforans, and X. vesicatoria. Contaminated or infected seed can be a major source of inoculum for this disease. The use of certified pathogen-free seed is one of the primary management practices to reduce the inoculum load in commercial production. Current seed testing protocols rely mainly on plating the seed extract and conventional PCR; however, the plating method cannot detect viable but nonculturable cells, and the conventional PCR assay has limited capability to differentiate DNA extracted from viable or dead bacterial cells. To improve the sensitivity and specificity of the tomato seed testing method for bacterial spot pathogens, a long-amplicon quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay coupled with propidium monoazide (PMA-qPCR) was developed to quantify selectively the four pathogenic Xanthomonas species in tomato seed. The optimized PMA-qPCR procedure was evaluated on pure bacterial suspensions, bacteria-spiked seed extracts, and seed extracts of inoculated and naturally infected seed. A crude DNA extraction protocol also was developed, and PMA-qPCR with crude bacterial DNA extracts resulted in accurate quantification of 10⁴ to 10⁸ CFU/ml of viable bacteria when mixed with dead cells at concentrations as high as 10⁷ CFU/ml in the seed extracts. With DNA purified from concentrated seed extracts, the PMA-qPCR assay was able to detect DNA of the target pathogens in seed samples spiked with ≥75 CFU/ml (about 0.5 CFU/seed) of the viable pathogens. Latent class analysis of the inoculated and naturally infected seed samples showed that the PMA-qPCR assay had greater sensitivity than plating the seed extracts on the semiselective modified Tween Medium B and CKTM media for all four target species. Being much faster and more sensitive than dilution plating, the PMA-qPCR assay has potential to be used as a standalone tool or in combination with the plating method to improve tomato seed testing and advance the production of clean seed.

Xanthomonas hortorum - beyond gardens: Current taxonomy, genomics, and virulence repertoires

TAXONOMY

Bacteria; Phylum Proteobacteria; Class Gammaproteobacteria; Order Lysobacterales (earlier synonym of Xanthomonadales); Family Lysobacteraceae (earlier synonym of Xanthomonadaceae); Genus Xanthomonas; Species X. hortorum; Pathovars: pv. carotae, pv. vitians, pv. hederae, pv. pelargonii, pv. taraxaci, pv. cynarae, and pv. gardneri.

HOST RANGE

Xanthomonas hortorum affects agricultural crops, and horticultural and wild plants. Tomato, carrot, artichoke, lettuce, pelargonium, ivy, and dandelion were originally described as the main natural hosts of the seven separate pathovars. Artificial inoculation experiments also revealed other hosts. The natural and experimental host ranges are expected to be broader than initially assumed. Additionally, several strains, yet to be assigned to a pathovar within X. hortorum, cause diseases on several other plant species such as peony, sweet wormwood, lavender, and oak-leaf hydrangea.

EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CONTROL

X. hortorum pathovars are mainly disseminated by infected seeds (e.g., X. hortorum pvs carotae and vitians) or cuttings (e.g., X. hortorum pv. pelargonii) and can be further dispersed by wind and rain, or mechanically transferred during planting and cultivation. Global trade of plants, seeds, and other propagating material constitutes a major pathway for their introduction and spread into new geographical areas. The propagules of some pathovars (e.g., X. horturum pv. pelargonii) are spread by insect vectors, while those of others can survive in crop residues and soils, and overwinter until the following growing season (e.g., X. hortorum pvs vitians and carotae). Control measures against X. hortorum pathovars are varied and include exclusion strategies (i.e., by using certification programmes and quarantine regulations) to multiple agricultural practices such as the application of phytosanitary products. Copper-based compounds against X. hortorum are used, but the emergence of copper-tolerant strains represents a major threat for their effective management. With the current lack of efficient chemical or biological disease management strategies, host resistance appears promising, but is not without challenges. The intrastrain genetic variability within the same pathovar poses a challenge for breeding cultivars with durable resistance.

USEFUL WEBSITES

https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/XANTGA, https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/XANTCR, https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/XANTPE, https://www.euroxanth.eu, http://www.xanthomonas.org, http://www.xanthomonas.org/dokuwiki.

A centenary for bacterial spot of tomato and pepper

DISEASE SYMPTOMS

Symptoms include water-soaked areas surrounded by chlorosis turning into necrotic spots on all aerial parts of plants. On tomato fruits, small, water-soaked, or slightly raised pale-green spots with greenish-white halos are formed, ultimately becoming dark brown and slightly sunken with a scabby or wart-like surface.

HOST RANGE

Main and economically important hosts include different types of tomatoes and peppers. Alternative solanaceous and nonsolanaceous hosts include Datura spp., Hyoscyamus spp., Lycium spp., Nicotiana rustica, Physalis spp., Solanum spp., Amaranthus lividus, Emilia fosbergii, Euphorbia heterophylla, Nicandra physaloides, Physalis pubescens, Sida glomerata, and Solanum americanum.

TAXONOMIC STATUS OF THE PATHOGEN

Domain, Bacteria; phylum, Proteobacteria; class, Gammaproteobacteria; order, Xanthomonadales; family, Xanthomonadaceae; genus, Xanthomonas; species, X. euvesicatoria, X. hortorum, X. vesicatoria.

SYNONYMS (NONPREFERRED SCIENTIFIC NAMES)

Bacterium exitiosum, Bacterium vesicatorium, Phytomonas exitiosa, Phytomonas vesicatoria, Pseudomonas exitiosa, Pseudomonas gardneri, Pseudomonas vesicatoria, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vesicatoria, Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria, Xanthomonas cynarae pv. gardneri, Xanthomonas gardneri, Xanthomonas perforans.

MICROBIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

Colonies are gram-negative, oxidase-negative, and catalase-positive and have oxidative metabolism. Pale-yellow domed circular colonies of 1-2 mm in diameter grow on general culture media.

DISTRIBUTION

The bacteria are widespread in Africa, Brazil, Canada and the USA, Australia, eastern Europe, and south-east Asia. Occurrence in western Europe is restricted.

PHYTOSANITARY CATEGORIZATION

A2 no. 157, EU Annex designation II/A2.

EPPO CODES

XANTEU, XANTGA, XANTPF, XANTVE.

Trends in Molecular Diagnosis and Diversity Studies for Phytosanitary Regulated Xanthomonas

Bacteria in the genus Xanthomonas infect a wide range of crops and wild plants, with most species responsible for plant diseases that have a global economic and environmental impact on the seed, plant, and food trade. Infections by Xanthomonas spp. cause a wide variety of non-specific symptoms, making their identification difficult. The coexistence of phylogenetically close strains, but drastically different in their phenotype, poses an added challenge to diagnosis. Data on future climate change scenarios predict an increase in the severity of epidemics and a geographical expansion of pathogens, increasing pressure on plant health services. In this context, the effectiveness of integrated disease management strategies strongly depends on the availability of rapid, sensitive, and specific diagnostic methods. The accumulation of genomic information in recent years has facilitated the identification of new DNA markers, a cornerstone for the development of more sensitive and specific methods. Nevertheless, the challenges that the taxonomic complexity of this genus represents in terms of diagnosis together with the fact that within the same bacterial species, groups of strains may interact with distinct host species demonstrate that there is still a long way to go. In this review, we describe and discuss the current molecular-based methods for the diagnosis and detection of regulated Xanthomonas, taxonomic and diversity studies in Xanthomonas and genomic approaches for molecular diagnosis.

Development of Real-Time and Colorimetric Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay for Detection of Xanthomonas gardneri

Xanthomonas gardneri is one of the causal agents of bacterial spot (BS), an economically important bacterial disease of tomato and pepper. Field-deployable and portable loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)-based instruments provide rapid and sensitive detection of plant pathogens. In order to rapidly and accurately identify and differentiate X. gardneri from other BS-causing Xanthomonas spp., we optimized a new real-time monitoring LAMP-based method targeting the X. gardneri-specific hrpB gene. Specificity and sensitivity of real-time and colorimetric LAMP assays were tested on the complex of bacterial strains pathogenic to tomato and pepper and on plants infected by the pathogen. The assay detection limit was 1 pg/μL of genomic DNA with an assay duration of only 30 min. The use of portable and handheld instruments allows for fast analysis, reducing the diagnosis time, and can contribute to proper disease management and control of X. gardneri. Due to the high efficiency of this method, we suggest its use as a standard diagnostic tool during phytosanitary controls.

Multiplex real-time PCR for the detection of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato and pathogenic Xanthomonas species on tomato plants

A multiplex real-time PCR method based on fluorescent TaqMan® probes was developed for the simultaneous detection of the tomato pathogenic bacteria Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato and bacterial spot-causing xanthomonads. The specificity of the multiplex assay was validated on 44 bacterial strains, including 32 target pathogen strains as well as closely related species and nontarget tomato pathogenic bacteria. The designed multiplex real-time PCR showed high sensitivity when positive amplification was observed for one pg of bacterial DNA in the cases of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato bacteria and 100 pg for bacterial spot-causing xanthomonads. The reliability of the developed multiplex real-time PCR assay for in planta detection was verified by recognition of the target pathogens in 18 tomato plants artificially inoculated by each of the target bacteria and tomato samples from production greenhouses.

Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Assay for Field Detection of Tomato Bacterial Spot Pathogens

Bacterial spot of tomato is caused by Xanthomonas gardneri, X. euvesicatoria, X. perforans, and X. vesicatoria. Current diagnostic methods for the pathogens are not in-field assays. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) is ideal for in-field detection assays, because it is an isothermal technique that is rapid and more tolerant to inhibitors compared with polymerase chain reaction. Hence, novel RPA probes and primers were designed to amplify regions of the hrcN gene of X. gardneri, X. euvesicatoria, and X. perforans. The X. gardneri RPA is specific to X. gardneri with a detection limit of 10⁶ CFU/ml and detected X. gardneri in lesions from naturally (n = 6) or artificially (n = 18) infected plants. The X. euvesicatoria RPA detects both X. euvesicatoria and X. perforans with a detection limit of 10⁶ CFU/ml and detected both pathogens in plants artificially infected (n = 36) or naturally infected (n = 85) with either X. euvesicatoria or X. perforans. The X. perforans RPA is specific to X. perforans with a detection limit of 10⁷ CFU/ml. Although the X. perforans RPA assay was unable to detect X. perforans from lesions, the X. euvesicatoria RPA was successfully used in field to detect X. perforans from symptomatic field samples (n = 31). The X. perforans RPA was then used to confirm the pathogen in the laboratory. The X. euvesicatoria and X. gardneri RPA is promising for rapid, real-time in-field detection of bacterial spot and one of the first developed among plant pathogenic bacteria.

Development of a genome-informed loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for rapid and specific detection of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria

Bacterial spot (BS), caused by Xanthomonas euvesicatoria, X. vesicatoria, X. gardneri and X. perforans, is an economically important bacterial disease of tomato and pepper. Symptoms produced by all four species are nearly indistinguishable. At present, no point-of-care diagnostics exist for BS. In this research, we examined genomes of X. euvesicatoria, X. vesicatoria, X. gardneri, X. perforans and other species of Xanthomonas; the unique gene recG was chosen to design primers to develop a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay to rapidly and accurately identify and differentiate X. euvesicatoria from other BS causing Xanthomonas sp. using a field-deployable portable BioRangerTM instrument. Specificity of the developed assay was tested against 39 strains of X. euvesicatoria and 41 strains of other species in inclusivity and exclusivity panels, respectively. The assay detection limit was 100 fg (~18 genome copies) of genomic DNA and 1,000 fg in samples spiked with tomato DNA. The assay unambiguously detected X. euvesicatoria in infected tomato plant samples. Concordant results were obtained when multiple operators performed the test independently. No false positives and false negatives were detected. The developed LAMP assay has numerous applications in diagnostics, biosecurity and disease management.

Multiple DNA Markers for Identification of Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis Isolates and its Direct Detection in Plant Samples

Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis (Xaj) is the etiological agent of walnut (Juglans regia L.) bacterial blight (WBB), and has been associated to other walnut emerging diseases, namely brown apical necrosis (BAN) and vertical oozing canker (VOC), altogether severely affecting the walnut production worldwide. Despite the research efforts carried out to disclose Xaj genetic diversity, reliable molecular methods for rapid identification of Xaj isolates and culture-independent detection of Xaj in infected plant samples are still missing. In this work, we propose nine novel specific DNA markers (XAJ1 to XAJ9) selected by dedicated in silico approaches to identify Xaj isolates and detect these bacteria in infected plant material. To confirm the efficacy and specificity of these markers, dot blot hybridization was carried out across a large set of xanthomonads. This analysis, which confirmed the pathovar specificity of these markers, allowed to identify four broad-range markers (XAJ1, XAJ4, XAJ6, and XAJ8) and five narrow-range markers (XAJ2, XAJ3, XAJ5, XAJ7, and XAJ9), originating 12 hybridization patterns (HP1 to HP12). No evident relatedness was observed between these hybridization patterns and the geographic origin from which the isolates were obtained. Interestingly, four isolates that clustered together according the gyrB phylogenetic analysis (CPBF 1507, 1508, 1514, and 1522) presented the same hybridization pattern (HP11), suggesting that these nine markers might be informative to rapidly discriminate and identify different Xaj lineages. Taking into account that a culture-independent detection of Xaj in plant material has never been described, a multiplex PCR was optimized using markers XAJ1, XAJ6, and XAJ8. This triplex PCR, besides confirming the dot blot data for each of the 52 Xaj, was able to detect Xaj in field infected walnut leaves and fruits. Altogether, these nine Xaj-specific markers allow conciliating the specificity of DNA-detection assays with typing resolution, contributing to rapid detection and identification of potential emergent and acutely virulent Xaj genotypes, infer their distribution, disclose the presence of this phytopathogen on potential alternative host species and improve phytosanitary control.

A Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay Differentiates Four Xanthomonas Species Associated with Bacterial Spot of Tomato

Bacterial spot of tomato, a major problem in many tomato production areas, is caused by Xanthomonas euvesicatoria, X. vesicatoria, X. perforans, and X. gardneri. In order to detect and identify the bacterial spot pathogens, we evaluated a region of hrpB operon as a source for primers and probes for real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A 420-bp fragment of the hrpB7 gene was amplified by PCR from 75 strains representing the four species. The PCR products were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis revealed that hrpB7 is highly conserved within each species, with a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) among the X. vesicatoria strains. X. euvesicatoria and X. perforans varied by two SNP. Four probes and two primer sets were designed to target the four bacterial spot pathogens based on their hrpB7 gene sequences. In order to simultaneously detect the four bacterial spot pathogens, the four probes and two primer sets were optimized for a multiplex real-time TaqMan PCR assay. The optimized multiplex assay was determined to be highly specific to the four bacterial spot pathogens. Because the optimized multiplex assay facilitated the identification of each bacterial spot pathogen from pure cultures and infected plant tissue, it holds great potential as a diagnostic tool.

Bacterial spot of tomato and pepper: diverse Xanthomonas species with a wide variety of virulence factors posing a worldwide challenge

TAXONOMIC STATUS

Bacteria; Phylum Proteobacteria; Class Gammaproteobacteria; Order Xanthomonadales; Family Xanthomonadaceae; Genus Xanthomonas; Species Xanthomonas euvesicatoria, Xanthomonas vesicatoria, Xanthomonas perforans and Xanthomonas gardneri.

MICROBIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, aerobic, motile, single polar flagellum.

HOST RANGE

Causes bacterial spot disease on plants belonging to the Solanaceae family, primarily tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), pepper (Capsicum annuum) and chilli peppers (Capsicum frutescens).

DISEASE SYMPTOMS

Necrotic lesions on all above-ground plant parts.

DISTRIBUTION

Worldwide distribution of X. euvesicatoria and X. vesicatoria on tomato and pepper; X. perforans and X. gardneri increasingly being isolated from the USA, Canada, South America, Africa and Europe. A wide diversity within the bacterial spot disease complex, with an ability to cause disease at different temperatures, makes this pathogen group a worldwide threat to tomato and pepper production. Recent advances in genome analyses have revealed the evolution of the pathogen with a plethora of novel virulence factors. Current management strategies rely on the use of various chemical control strategies and sanitary measures to minimize pathogen spread through contaminated seed. Chemical control strategies have been a challenge because of resistance by the pathogen. Breeding programmes have been successful in developing commercial lines with hypersensitive and quantitative resistance. However, durability of resistance has been elusive. Recently, a transgenic approach has resulted in the development of tomato genotypes with significant levels of resistance and improved yield that hold promise. In this article, we discuss the current taxonomic status, distribution of the four species, knowledge of virulence factors, detection methods and strategies for disease control with possible directions for future research.

Occurrence of copper-resistant strains and a shift in Xanthomonas spp. causing tomato bacterial spot in Ontario

Field strains of tomato bacterial spot pathogen (Xanthomonas euvesicatoria, X. vesicatoria, X. perforans, and X. gardneri) were characterized for sensitivity to copper and species composition. A total of 98 strains were isolated from symptomatic leaf and fruit samples collected from 18 tomato fields in Ontario. In greenhouse pathogenicity tests, most of the field strains caused severe (37 strains) to highly severe (23 strains) symptoms on 'Bonny Best' tomato plants, whereas 38 strains caused moderate symptoms. In MGY agar plates amended with various concentrations of copper sulfate, 11 strains were completely sensitive (no growth) and 87 strains were resistant (grew on 1.0 mmol/L or higher copper concentration). PCR analysis of the hrp gene cluster followed by restriction digestion with HaeIII and sequencing identified X. gardneri (35 strains) and X. perforans (26 strains) as predominant species and X. euvesicatoria and X. vesicatoria as less common species in Ontario tomato fields. Separation of field strains into various species was also confirmed with starch hydrolysis activity on agar medium. Moreover, 72 field strains produced shiny greenish-yellow colonies surrounded by a milky zone on xanthomonad differential (Xan-D) medium, and the colonies of 26 strains did not produce a milky zone. Thirty-four strains could not be clustered into any species and 25 of those strains were negative for the hrp gene PCR and also did not produce a milky zone around colonies on Xan-D medium. Our results suggest a widespread existence of copper-resistant strains and an increase in X. perforans strains of bacterial spot pathogen in Ontario. This information on copper resistance and species composition within bacterial spot pathogens in Ontario will be helpful for developing effective disease management strategies, making cultivar selection, and breeding new tomato cultivars.

Sub-species diversity of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria Bulgarian and Macedonian strains from pepper

Sub-species diversity of pepper populations of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria in Bulgaria and Macedonia in 2012 was the object of this study. Species determination of 44 strains was performed by molecular methods using two pairs of species-specific primers and RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) analysis of the 16S-23S ITS region with HpaII. The populations were characterized by genotypic and phenotypic properties. The genotypic diversity of the strains was evaluated by RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) technique. Primer CUGEA-6 differentiated the strains in two groups, one of which included only Bulgarian strains and revealed a mixed profile of the type strain. Biolog^TM metabolite profiles separated the strains in four groups: two of which were composed only of Bulgarian or Macedonian strains. Correlation between the RAPD and the metabolic profiles was observed. Twelve antibiotics and copper ions in five concentrations (1-5 g kg^-1) were tested for biological activity. The inhibition zones of the Bulgarian strains were statistically proven to be considerably larger than the Macedonian ones in the tests with kanamycin, streptomycin, polymyxin B sulphate, tetracycline and vankomycin. The inhibition zones of the Bulgarian strains were statistically proven to be relatively larger than the Macedonian ones in the copper tests. Based on our studies the Macedonian population of X. euvesicatoria manifested a relative homogeneity while a greater diversity was observed in the Bulgarian population.