The dynamics of homologous and heterologous interactions between rice and strains of Xanthomonas campestris

Lesion development, bacterial multiplication and spread were measured in leaves of cultivars of rice containing different Xa (resistance) genes, following inoculation with different races of the bacterial leaf blight pathogen. Xanthomonas campestris pv. oryzae. Both compatible and incompatible races possessed the ability to colonize rice plants. The difference between compatible and incompatible host pathogen combinations appeared to be mainly in symptom production since multiplication rates and spread were very similar until after the onset of symptoms. No form of HR (hypersensitive response) was observed. The ability of incompatible races to modify host reaction in dual-inoculation was dependent on the genotype of the host plant. The heterologous non-pathogen of rice X. campestris pv. campestris produced few symptoms, failed either to multiply or spread within rice leaves and was unable to induce any marked cross-protection against homologous pv. oryzae strains in dual-inoculation experiments.