Isolation and characterization of Clavibacter tritici associated with Anguina tritici in wheat from Western Australia

Abstract

Two infestations of Anguina tritici in Western Australia were investigated for the presence of Clavibacter tritici. Five strains of C tritici were isolated from each site and compared with strains from Egypt, India, Iran and Iraq by allozyme electrophoresis. The Australian strains were genetically homogeneous but distinct from the non‐Australian strains. A. tritici galls were found to be colonized by C. tritici, a feature of C. tritici infection not previously reported. C. tritici strains from Australia adhered to A, tritici but not to Anguina funesta. No corynetoxins were detected in C. tritici‐infected galls. The potential of non‐toxigenic Clavibacter species, such as C. tritici, for biocontrol of Clavibacter toxicus, the species responsible for poisoning livestock, is discussed.