YELLOW CHROMOGENIC BACTERIA ON WHEAT: II. DETERMINATIVE STUDIES

Abstract

The predominant type of yellow chromogenic bacteria easily isolated from normal wheat and other seeds, and in the early literature referred to as Bacterium herbicola aureum Diiggeli, is like Xanthomonas translucens in many aspects—in morphology, colony characteristics, type of pigment, and habitat. These bacteria differ from the latter species in that they are not pathogenic and they grow moderately in a medium containing asparagine as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen. The problem of nomenclature of these bacteria is considered. Evidence that justifies acceptance of Pseudomonas trifolii Huss as the legitimate name of the species and transference of the species to the genus Xanthomonas is presented. The name Xanthomonas trifolii (Huss) comb. nov. is proposed.