First Report of Dickeya chrysanthemi Causing Bacterial Soft Rot of Aloe vera in Sri Lanka

Purpose: In September 2019, a rapidly spreading soft rot disease was observed in an Aloe vera cultivation Puttlam District, Sri Lanka causing rotting of leaves and whole plant death, within three to five days. Identification causal pathogen the main objective for effective management disease. The aim this study isolate molecular identification A. confirm its pathogenicity.Research Method: bacterium isolated on Nutrient Agar medium initially identified by colony characters. Pathogenicity assessed inoculation potted plants with bacterial suspension each isolates (x108 cfu ml-1). Bacterial DNA extracted subjected PCR, using universal primers 27F 1492R amplify 16S rRNA region bacterium. PCR products were sequenced homology search performed GenBank database.Findings: Typical field symptoms began appearing after 24 hrs inoculated plants, death two-three days Based analysis, sequencing results, as Dickeya chrysanthemi (former E. chrysanthemi). Sequences deposited two isolates, kb (Accession No.MT028490.1) kd No.MT028539.1). A BLAST revealed 99 % identity D. from China (JF779681.1).Originality/Value: To our knowledge, is first report Lanka. This finding will be very useful formulating strategies prevent outbreak