Abstract
Leaf scald is a vascular disease of sugarcane caused by Xanthomonas albilineans. Scalded leaves show white-yellowish streaks alternating with green zones in parallel to the main veins. These zones develop large bulliform cells, probably as a consequence of the wilting process. Moreover, a gum exudate occludes phloem and bundle vessels, and partially enters mesophyll cells. Some lysigenic cavities appear near the xylem. However, the white-yellowish streaks show both phloem and xylem completely occluded by the gum and the overall mesophyll appears to be full of this bacterial secretion, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. The gum in conducting tissues has been purified from juice obtained from scalded stalks by precipitation with isopropyl alcohol and size-exclusion chromatography. It was identified as a xanthan-like polysaccharide and found to be composed of glucose, mannose and glucuronic acid by acidic hydrolysis and capillary electrophoresis.
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Solas, M.T., Piñón, D., Acevedo, R. et al. Ultrastructural Changes and Production of a Xanthan-Like Polysaccharide Associated with Scald of Sugarcane Leaves Caused by Xanthomonas albilineans . European Journal of Plant Pathology 109, 351–359 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023533812304
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023533812304