How does XPo work?
The bacterial agent in XPo (Xanthomonas campestris pv. Poannua) infects the Poa annua plant by entering a wound in the leaf tissue, such as a mowed leaf. Once in the plant, the Xanthomonas bacteria uses nutrients and sugars in the plant as its food source, multiplies in the vascular system (xylem), plugs up the xylem vessels by producing xantham gum and blocks the flow of water and nutrients. The plugging of the xylem causes wilting and death of the Poa plants that is first seen by a stretching (etiolation) and wilting of the leaves, soon followed by death of the infected plant.
