Various chromogenic bacteria were isolated from the mowing site in natural and sown meadows and in pastures. Their abihty to protect young ryegrass plants from wilt by simultaneous inoculation with Xanthomonas campestris pv. graminis was tested under low concentrations of the parasite inoculum. From about 200 isolates tested 35 % had a very high protective effect, 45 % a moderate one, and only 20 % had no significant effect. Mixtures of different species of phylloplane bacteria usually gave very good protection. Most of these baeteria live between the leaf-sheaths. In vitro antagonism of the phylloplane bacteria was not related to their protective effect. Avirulent mutant strains of X. c. pv. graminis and pathovars of other grass species, e.g. pv. poae, pv. phlei, and pv. arrhenatheri, have the same protecting effect. Heat killed bacteria were no longer effective.These observations suggest an unspecific reaction of the plant, such as the induction of a general defense mechanism which results in resistance also to the parasite.