Pseudomonas syringae Pathovars and Related Pathogens - Identification Epidemiology and Genomics

The Conference on Pseudomonas syringae which started in 1973 as an informal meeting of a group of scientists working on these bacteria in Angers France has become more and more important with time. Many meetings have been held since then: 1984 1987 1991 1995 and 2002 in Cape Sounion Greece; Lisbon Portugal; Florence Italy; Berlin Germany; and Maratea Italy; respectively. This Conference is considered as the most important scientific forum in which recent advances in different research aspects on Pseudomonas syringae a plant pathogenic bacterial species that includes a high number of pathogens (referred as pathovars) and Related Pathogens such as Acidovorax Burkholderia Ralstonia affecting several economically important crops. The proceedings resulting from these meetings are considered as valuable sources of information related to this group of pathogens. The interest in organising this conference regularly is reflected by the attendance of more than 80 scientists from 20 countries worldwide who participated at the 7th International Conference on Pseudomonas syringae pathovars and related pat- gens organized by the Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II in Agadir Morocco from 13th to 16th November 2006.