Bacterial phytotoxins

Abstract

Representatives of all of the major genera of plant disease-causing bacteria have been shown to produce one or more phytotoxins. Toxicological studies on the bacterial diseases of the major food crops have not been extensive. Bacterial phytotoxins belong to a number of classes of organic substances, including peptide, derivatized amino acid, polysaccharide, and glycopeptide. The mechanism of action of these compounds is largely unknown, as is their origin and importance in the disease syndrome. Nevertheless, some progress has been made in these areas in isolated cases. There is a tremendous potential in the future for studies on the bacterial phytotoxins.