<i>Bacillus pumilus</i>, the Cause of Bacterial Blotch of Immature Balady Peach in Egypt

Abstract

Abstract Five pectolytic isolates of Bacillus were isolated from bacterial blotch of immature fruits and leaves of Balady peach ( Prunus persica cv. Balady) grown in EI‐Minia Governorate in Egypt. Inoculation of the isolated bacteria into premature peach fruits and leaves resulted in the development of large brown spots. The isolated bacterium was identified as Bacillus pumilus from its physiological and biochemical properties, pathogenicity, electron microscopy and fatty acid composition analysis. B. pumilus also induced soft rot on wounded American stone and pome fruits such as Autumn Large and Southern peach, Large Red plums, Golden Delicious and Gala apple and Bartlet pear. Unwounded Autumn Large peach and Bartlet pear were also affected. Moreover, they degraded the parenchymatous tissues of many tested plant organs under experimental conditions. B. pumilus produced endopolygalacturonase (EC 4.2.2.1) and endopectin lyase (EC4.2.2.3) in vitro and in vivo. This is the first report of the disease occurring in Egypt.