Characterization of two antagonistic strains of Rahnella aquatilis isolated from soil in Egypt.

In an attempt to obtain biological control agents for controlling bacterial spot of cucumber, over 250 bacterial strains were isolated from agricultural soil samples, collected from different localities in Giza Governorate (Egypt) and screened for in vitro antibiosis towards Xanthomonas campestris. Only 2 strains showed antagonistic activity. They and their culture filtrates restricted the growth of a number of G- and G(+)-indicator bacteria. On Chrome Azurol S agar, both strains exhibited a marked siderophore production. Biolog plates identified these strains as Rahnella aquatilis. Their characteristics were studied and compared with literature data on R. aquatilis. This antagonistic bacterium has not been previously isolated in Egypt.