The worldwide loss of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) productivity is due to the
infestation of the red pest weevil (RPW). The pest makes tunnels in the tree trunk
and could be followed by secondary microbial infections causing oozing of fluid
with a distinct fermentation odor. This study aimed at isolation and identification
of secondary invader bacteria associated with the RPW and confirmation of their
potential destructive effect on the tree. Four bacterial isolates were recovered from
the infested date palm tissues, and they were identified based on phenotypic characteristics
using the VITEK2 system. Three out of the four isolates were identified as
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and one isolate was identified as Burkholderia cepacia.
All isolates caused rot of date palm germinated seeds (up to 40%), and wilt and root
rot of date palm seedlings (40–100%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa (isolate No. 3) was
the most aggressive isolate that involved 40% mortality and caused 100% of root rot
incidence in date palm seedlings. Burkholderia cepacia showed the lowest degree of
rot on the germinated seeds, percentage mortality, percentage root rot incidence of
date palm seedlings. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (isolate No. 1) and B. cepacia caused
a high loss in the weight of date palm petioles tissues (about 10%). The study threw
light on the detrimental effects of secondary invader microbes associated with the
RPW infestation. The study recommended an application of an integrated management
program containing both antibacterial and insecticidal preparation in the management
of the RPW to avoid a further negative effect on the palm trees