Characterization of Pseudomonas mediterranea and Pseudomonas viridiflava strains associated with tomato pith necrosis in the Al Taif region, Saudi Arabia.

ABSTRACT: Tomato pith necrosis is a damaging disease affecting greenhouse and field-grown tomato production globally, often associated with environmental stress and excessive nitrogen fertilization. This study investigates the bacterial etiology and the (inter)national context of disease outbreaks during the 2023-2024 growing seasons in Al Taif, Saudi Arabia (SA). Sixteen bacterial isolates were recovered from symptomatic plants, and phenotypic and molecular analyses identified Pseudomonas mediterranea (n = 12) and Pseudomonas viridiflava (n = 4) as the causal agents, although Pseudomonas corrugata and Pseudomonas fluorescens biotype I have also been reported from SA in the past. P. mediterranea was the most prevalent species, consistent with earlier findings in southern Europe. Genetic characteriza

SUBMITTER: Ibrahim YE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12847849 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature