Abstract
Claviacter xyli subsp. xyli (lxx) is the causal agent bacterium of ratoon stunting disease (RSD). In Brazil, the total income lost by the sugarcane producers of the State of Sao Paulo, due to RSD incidence in the last 30 years period, corresponds to approximately U$ 2 billion. Lxx growth is limited to the vessels, tracheids and lacunae of the xylem, where it is frequently associated with…