[Phytopathological tests with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (author's transl)].

Several strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were investigated for pathogenicity to plant tissue. Inoculations into the intercellular spaces of leaves of Vicia faba (28 degrees C) and Vinca rosea (36 degrees C) showed negative results. In leaves of Nicotiana tabacum (32 degrees C) the bacteria multiplied; the tissue reacted to form partial lesions and necrosis. Neither in culture filtrates of the bacteria nor in eluates of inoculated leaves pectolytic and cellulolytic enzymes or breakdown products of these could be obtained. Whilst the proteolytic activity was high, symptoms for effects on the plant tissue, however, were not observed. Although this bacterium may be able to multiply after injection into tobacco leaf, the general question about pathogenicity to plants must be denied.