*2.2. Identification of Isolated Bacteria by Biochemical and Molecular Characterization*

The bacterial isolates were identified based on morphological, microscopic, biochemical and molecular characterization. Biochemical tests such as gram staining, catalase, oxidase test, KOH test, gelatin liquefaction, starch hydrolysis, casein hydrolysis and pectin hydrolysis were carried out as described in [34]. Molecular characterization was carried out to identify the organism at a molecular level. Using a Chromous bacterial genomic DNA isolation kit, the genomic DNA of bacterial samples were isolated following the standard protocol. PCR amplification was carried out using universal 16s rRNA primers. The obtained sequences were deposited in an NCBI GenBank and an accession number was obtained [35]. The GenBank accession numbers are as follows: *Xanthomonas oryzae* pv. *oryzae* (MBXoo53) MF787295.1, *Xanthomonas oryzae* pv. *oryzae* (MBXoo70) MF787294.1, *Xanthomonas oryzae* pv. *oryzae* (MBXoo69) MF579736.1.
