Serological detection and identification of bacteria from plants by the conjugated Staphylococcus aureus slide agglutination test

A rapid slide agglutination test using polyclonal antisera conjugated to protein A-rich whole-cell Staphylococcus aureus was developed for the detection and identification of bacteria from plants. The specificity and sensitivity of the technique was evaluated in 18 antibody/antigen combinations, representing six bacterial genera ( Erwinia, Lactobacillus, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Rhodococcus and Xanthomonas ). For two pathovars of Pseudomonas syringae the specificity of the technique was increased by the use of antisera prepared to somatic extracts.
The advantages of the Staphylococcus aureus agglutination technique include speed, simplicity and the ability to identify organisms directly from infected plant tissues. It was applied to the detection of Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola and pv. pisi in lesions on bean and pea, respectively, to P. gladioli pv. alliicola and Lactobacillus sp. from rotted onion bulbs and specific strains of Rhizobium phaseoli in bean root nodules.