Nitrogen Sources Inhibit Biofilm Formation by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae.

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) causes bacterial blight, which results in severe economic damage to rice farms. Xoo produces biofilms for pathogenesis and survival both inside and outside the host. Biofilms, which are important virulence factors, play a key role in causing the symptoms of Xoo infection. In the present study, we investigated the nutritional conditions for biofilm formation by Xoo. Although Xoo biofilm formation may be initiated by interactions with the host, Xoo biofilm cannot mature without the support of favorable nutritional conditions. Nitrogen sources inhibited Xoo biofilm formation by overwhelming the positive effect that cell growth has on it. However, limited nutrients with low amino acid concentration supported biofilm formation by Xoo in the xylem sap rather than in the phloem sap of rice.