Introduction

Abstract

Bacteria have been recognized as a distinct group of plant pathogens capable of inducing significant losses in various crops cultivated in different countries all over the world. Various methods based on their morphological, biochemical/physiological, immunological and nucleic acid characteristics have been applied for their detection, differentiation and identification with different levels of sensitivity, specificity and reliability. Diagnosis of the diseases caused by the bacterial plant pathogens has been successfully accomplished using different biological methods that require different periods of time. Immunological and nucleic acid-based techniques have been demonstrated to provide more efficient and reliable diagnosis of diseases rapidly, especially when the plants and plant materials remain asymptomatic and the infection levels are low in the field conditions. The role of disease diagnostic centers, plant quarantine and certification programs in providing advice to the growers, prevention of introduction of new diseases and establishment of disease-free nuclear stocks is highlighted.