FIRST REPORT OF BACTERIAL LEAF SPOT OF MAIZE IN IRAN

Leaf spot symptoms on maize were observed in autumn 2011 in Shiraz (Fars province, Iran). In order to identify the causal agent, the leaves of infected plants were squashed in sterilized water, and cultured on EMB medium. Green colonies were observed after 2-3 days. Following purification, the biochemical tests including Gram, oxidase, O/F, hypersensitivity reaction on tobacco, culturing on YDC medium, production of indole, acetoin, citrate, production of acid from salicin, arbutin, melobiose, raffinose, sucrose and pathogenicity test on maize seedlings were performed. The 16S rRNA of a representative isolate was partially amplified and sequenced. Based on the disease symptoms, phenotypic and pathogenicity tests and sequencing data, the isolates were identified as Pantoea stewartii subsp. indologenes. This is the first report of the disease and the causal bacterium in Iran.