Xanthomonas species and pathovars show host and tissue specificity
Different bacteria from the genus Xanthomonas attack monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants to cause a range of diseases.
These pathogens show a high level of host plant specificity and many exhibit tissue specificity, invading either the xylem elements of the vascular system (vascular pathogens) or the intercellular spaces of the mesophyll tissue (mesophyllic pathogens) of the host.