| Abstract: | Bacteria inhabiting the xylem of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karsten) were investigated. The trees had been wounded and artificially inoculated with fungi and bacteria obtained from wounds of naturally infected spruce. One and five growing seasons after inoculation the Gram‐negative bacterial population present in the stem of inoculated trees were analysed. The Gram‐negative bacteria isolated from the trees were identified on the basis of morphological, biochemical and physiological tests and whole‐cell fatty acid composition. The predominant strains were Enterobacteriaceae fermenter strains (E. agglomerans or E. sakazakii), fluorescent and yellow pigmented Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter and Moraxella spp. All Gram‐positive bacteria were Bacillus species. The Gram‐negative bacteria of Norway spruce differed from the Gram‐positive species in possessing stronger lipolytic activity and in their ability to utilize pine resins for growth. Gram‐positive bacteria were generally able to utilise cellulose and hemicellulose, whereas among the Gram‐negative bacteria only one xylanolytic (yellow Pseudomonas) strain was found. |
