The phytopathogenic bacterium Pectobacterium chrysanthemi secretes multiple isozymes of plant cell wall disrupting enzyme such as pectate lyase and cellulase. The cel gene, existing in tandem with the pel gene, was isolated previously [10]. The role of Cel5Z and PelL1 in P. chrysanthemi PY35 pathogenicity on potato tissues was assessed by mutagenizing cloned cel gene and pel gene in tandem and recombining them with the chromosomal alleles. Strains with the Km cassette interposon in pelL1 or a double mutant showed a delay in the appearance of symptoms, suggesting that P. chrysanthemi PY35 pectate lyase PelL1 may playa minor role in soft-rot pathogenesis.