Production of a stable, low molecular weight diffusible extracellular factor (DF), by Xanthomonas campestris pv, campestris (Xcc, the causal agent of black rot of crucifers), is essential for xanthomonadin pigment and extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) production. DF was produced and purified from liquid cultures by solvent partitioning and ethylacetate extraction. Extract purity was verified via HPLC and bioassays with a DF deficient strain of Xcc (A-7). Epiphytic survival and disease development of A-7 was greatly reduced compared to the wild-type Xcc strain, B-24. Application of purified extracts of DF on cauliflower plants increased epiphytic survival and subsequent lesion development by strain (A-7) to levels similar to those of B-24. Thus, DF is important for epiphytic survival and disease development of X. campestris pv, campestris. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.