The purpose of this research was to provide the information about the aggressiveness of strains of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. aurantifolii - strains C (Xaa-C), producer (PP) or not of dark pigment (NP) in culture medium in comparison with X. axonopodis pv. citri - strains A (Xac). A total of 14 strains were inoculated by needle wounds in 'Mexican' Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) leaves, with bacterial cell suspension (10(7) CFU/mL): seven were Xaa-C PP, five were not producers and two were Xac strains. Ten replications of one plant each were used in each treatment. The plants were kept in greenhouse during the experiment. The strains differed on incubation period, lesion size and population growth. Xaa NP was more aggressive than PP. Symptoms induced by some strains varied in terms of water-soaked, chlorotic halos and necrosis.
citrus canker; pathogenicity; host-pathogen interaction
