Influence of subculturing some phytopathogenic bacteria on their carbohydrate utilizing profile

The capability of carbohydrate utilization shown by some freshly-isolated phytopathogenic bacteria (i.e. Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae, Ps.s. pv. actinidiae, Ps.s. pv. lachrymans Ps. cichorii, Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris ) was assessed by means of the API system and compared with that shown by the same isolates when they were subsequently subcultured for I week and for 1 month on nutrient agar and on the medium B of King et al. All isolates showed a differential capability of utilization during the subcultures of the laboratory culture media. In some cases, the utilization of some carbohydrates was not shown during the in vitro growth. On the other hand, the life on bacterial culture media induced the capability to utilize other carbohydrates. The need for standardization of recent techniques for the assessment of organic compound utilization is stressed.