Isolation and characterization of Enterobacter cloacae associated with snake cucumber leaf spots in Minya, Egypt

الملخص EN

Seven bacterial isolates viz Cu1, Cu2, Cu4, Cu5, Cu6, Cu7 and Cu8 were isolated from leaves of snake cucumber (Cucumis melo.

Flexuosus.

cv.

Balady) plants grown during summer growing season 2019 showed water-soaked spots that developed to small specks then enlarged to form irregular spots.

All bacterial isolates tested were virulent to snake cucumber.

Bacterial isolates Cu1, Cu2 and Cu4 were the most virulent than those Cu5, Cu6, Cu7 and Cu8.

The most virulent bacterial isolates were identified as Enterobacter cloacae.

Analysis of their DNA profile confirmed that the three pathogenic isolates have DNA patterns with 99 – 100% similarly to Enterobacter cloacae.

Only isolate Cu1 was selected to confirm its identification through phylogenetic based on 16s rRNA that showed 99.90% identity with Enterobacter cloacae strain 279-56.

Enterobacter cloacae was reacted as leaf spotting (Cantaloup, cucumber, melon, squash, watermelon) and soft rot in fruits of (cucumber, melon).

Neither leaves nor fruits of watermelon infected by any of Enterobacter cloacae.