Pathological and Genetic Variability of Bacterial Strains Causing Vegetable Soft Rot in West Pará Region, Brazil

ABSTRACT: Seventy-five pectinolytic strains collected from vegetables grown in the counties of Santarém, Belterra, and Mojuí dos Campos, located in the western region of the Pará State, Brazil, were studied according to their pathological and genetic variability. The strains were grouped in 5 clusters according to pathogenicity in potato, pepper, carrot, and onion, and 38 strains were selected for genetic analysis using rep-PCR. These strains were divided into 35 genetic groups according to rep-PCR at 70% similarity. These results indicated high pathological and genetic variability of the strains causing soft rot in vegetables in the western region of the Pará State, which will be used in etiological research and for the development and assessment of management techniques for the soft rot in vegetables in this region.