Preliminary genetic detection of Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum isolates using PCR markers in southwestern Ethiopia

Among the major enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) diseases in Ethiopia, bacterial wilt caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum (Xcm) is a destructive disease that limits the enset production in growing areas. Diversity within the bacterial pathogen population is not well studied in the southwestern part of the country. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the genetic characteristics of the Xcm pathogens collected from southwestern Ethiopia. From 120 Xcm isolates, 30 were randomly selected after the isolates were clustered into their respective farmer associations based on their cultural and morphological similarities and differences. The bacterial isolates originated from wilted enset plants collected from 30 enset fields in 10 major enset growing districts. Based on its morphology, the collected isolate was known as Xcm and its identity was confirmed by a pathogenicity test, as the pathogen caused wilting and necrosis of leaves like that seen in the field. However, the bacterial isolates were found to be variable in the appearance of colony colour and growth types. Moreover, based on the analysis of molecular characterisation studies, the isolates were likely reflecting genetic diversity as the observed variation in amplification and detection among isolates using a 468bp primer (P2). Hence, there is a need for further investigation to find out and recommend a pathogen strain-specific management system.