Transfer of pv. and pv. to (Vauterin) as pv. comb. nov. and pv. comb. nov. and Description of pv. pv. nov.

We present an amended description of the bacterial species to include the causative agent of banana wilt, as well as strains that cause disease on palm, grass, sugarcane, and maize. Genome-sequence data reveal that these strains all share more than 98% average nucleotide with each other and with the type strain. Our analyses and proposals should help to resolve the taxonomic confusion that surrounds some of these pathogens and help to prevent future use of invalid names.

Rapid, specific, simple, in-field detection of Xanthomonas campestris pathovar musacearum by loop-mediated isothermal amplification.

Aims: To develop and evaluate a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for Xanthomonas campestris pathovar musacearum (Xcm), the causal agent of banana Xanthomonas wilt, a major disease of banana in Africa.

Methods And Results: LAMP primers were designed to the general secretion pathway protein D gene and tested against 17 isolates of Xcm encompassing the known genetic and geographic diversity of the bacterium and all isolates were detected. Seventeen other Xanthomonas isolates, including closely related Xanthomonas vasicola, other bacterial pathogens/endophytes of Musa and two healthy Musa varieties gave negative results with the LAMP assay.

Development of a lateral flow device for in-field detection and evaluation of PCR-based diagnostic methods for pv. , the causal agent of banana xanthomonas wilt.

pv. (Xcm) is the causal agent of banana xanthomonas wilt, a major threat to banana production in eastern and central Africa. The pathogen is present in very high levels within infected plants and can be transmitted by a broad range of mechanisms; therefore early specific detection is vital for effective disease management.