First detection of Pantoea ananatis, the causal agent of bacterial center rot of onion in Morocco

Pantoea ananatis is an important pathogen causing bacterial center rot in onion. Isolated strains from onion soft rot bulbs based on morphological characteristics were tested for hypersensitivity reaction on tobacco. Pathogenic strains underwent some biochemical tests which detected the presence of P. ananatis, based on RNA16S sequencing, this result was confirmed. Symptoms were reproduced by inoculating this species to onion leaves and bulbs. This study reports for the first time the presence of P. ananatis bacterium in Morocco causing the bacterial center rot in onion.