Characterisation of potato isolates of Dickeya chrysanthemi in Spain by a microtitre system for biovar determination

Thirteen Spanish potato isolates of Dickeya chrysanthemi obtained from different cultivars, regions and years have been characterised by biochemical, physiological, serological, molecular and pathogenicity tests. Isolates studied have been classified into biovars 1, 3, 5 and 6 by a microtitre system that correlates with the conventional tests in tubes. This is the first description of the characteristics of D. chrysanthemi isolated from potato in Spain and of the development of a microtitre system for biovar determination.