Citrus canker caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc) is one of the most important bacterial diseases of citrus. Because citrus canker is not found in many countries including European Union and Australia, Xcc is strictly regulated in order to prevent its spread. In this study, the effects of X-irradiation on Xcc growth either in the suspension or on the surface of citrus fruits were investigated. The suspension containing 1×107 cfu/ml of Xcc was irradiated with different absorbed doses of X-irradiation ranging from 50 to 400 Gy. The results showed that Xcc was fully dead at 400 Gy of X-irradiation. To determine the effect of X-irradiation on quarantine, the Xcc-inoculated citrus fruits were irradiated with different X-ray doses at which Xcc was completely inhibited by an irradiation dose of 250 Gy. The D10 value for Xcc on citrus fruits was found to be 97 Gy, indicating the possibility of direct application on citrus quarantine without any side sterilizer. Beside, presence of Xcc on the surface of asymptomatic citrus fruits obtained from citrus canker-infected orchards was noted. It indicated that the exporting citrus fruits need any treatment so that Xcc on the citrus fruits should be completely eliminated. Based on these results, ionizing radiation can be considered as an alternative method of eradicating Xcc for export of citrus fruits.

Elsinoe fawcettii causing citrus scab was suppressed by rhizobacterial strains such as Burkholderia gladioli MRL408-3, TRH423-3 and Pseudomonas fluorescens THJ609-3, TRH415-2 having antifungal activity. The leaf surface of Satsuma mandarin, which was pre-treated with the rhizobacterial strains, was observed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) after inoculation with E. fawcettii. The number of lesions was reduced on the leaves pre-treated with the rhizobacterial strains compared to those of untreated leaves. Especially, the lesions numbers was apparently reduced on the leaves pre-treated with B. gladioli MRL408-3. The observation by SEM revealed that not only the germination rate but also the length of germ tube of the pathogen were decreased on the rhizobacterial strains pre-treated leaves. These inhibition of the fungal growth was more strongly expressed on the leaves pre-treated with commercial fungicide imibenconazole, by which the lesions was rarely found on the leaves. Based on these results, it was suggested that rhizobacterial strains may inhibit the germination and growth of the E. fawcettii on the surface of citrus leaves, resulting in decrease of disease severity.