PATHOGENIC AND GENETIC VARIATION IN Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. Phaseoli AND ITS FUSCANS VARIANT IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

Common bacterial blight (CBB) caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli and its fuscans variant, X. axonopodis pv. phaseoli var. fuscans is a widespread disease of dry beans in South Africa. Variation within pathogen populations has been reported and in order to breed for resistance it is important to investigate whether variation exists within the local pathogen population. One hundred and forty three common bacterial blight isolates from 44 localities in four countries, were inoculated onto eight Phaseolus acutifolius lines that differentiate between pathogenic races. This differential set was expanded to include resistant genotypes, XAN 159, GN #