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

Morphologically identified samples were pure cultured and further used for biochemical and physiological identification methods according to [33] for the tests such as Gram's reaction, oxidase test, catalase test, KOH test, starch hydrolysis test, casein hydrolysis test, gelatin liquefaction test and pectin hydrolysis test. The isolated bacteria were Gram-negative, short rods producing yellow-colored pigment. The bacterial isolates tested were positive for catalase, oxidase, 3% KOH, gelatin liquefaction, starch hydrolysis and pectin hydrolysis. Our results correlate with the results of Arshad et al. [48] The isolates were positive for all the tests except for the Gram's reaction, which showed it to be negative, indicating that it is a gram-negative organism. The identification of the isolated bacteria was confirmed to be *Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae* (Xoo) by molecular analysis. The isolates were sub cultured and maintained for further antibacterial studies.
