DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF XANTHOMONAS CAMPESTRIS PV.CENTELLAE ON LEAVES OF CENTELLA ASIATICA COLLECTED IN TAMILNADU

A bacterial leaf spot disease has been the major problem in cultivation of C. asiatica in Tirunelveli districts (Tamilnadu) in India. Hence laboratory experiments were conducted to detect and identify the causative pathogen on leaves of Centella asiatica collected from naturally contaminated commercial plants. Two modified semi-selective media namely mTBM and mMD5A were used to detect the bacterium from the infected leaves. Identification of the strain was proved by using morphology, physiology and biochemical test. The results showed the presence of strain i.e. Xanthomonas campestris pv. centellae (X.c.pv.c) in all the assayed plants.