Abutbul, S., Albert Katz Department of Dryland Biotechnologies, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 84990 Midreshet Ben Gurion, Israel
Golan-Goldhirsh, A., Albert Katz Department of Dryland Biotechnologies, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 84990 Midreshet Ben Gurion, Israel
Barazani, O., Albert Katz Department of Dryland Biotechnologies, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 84990 Midreshet Ben Gurion, Israel
Ofir, R., Hazeva Research and Development Center, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, 84100 Hazeva, Israel
Zilberg, D., Albert Katz Department of Dryland Biotechnologies, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 84990 Midreshet Ben Gurion, Israel

The antibacterial activity of aqueous extracts of 104 desert plant species was studied on the following fish bacterial pathogens: Aeromonas hydrophila, Photobacterium damselae subspecies piscicida, Streptococcus iniae, and Vibrio alginolyticus. Seventeen plant species had antibacterial activity, as identified by disk diffusion assay. The pathogen P. damselae was sensitive to all 17 active extracts except Peganum harmala and a high inhibitory effect (14-19.5 mm) was produced by Anchusa strigosa, Hammada scoparia, Achillea fragrantissima, Pulicaria crispa and Loranthus acaciae. The pathogens A. hydrophila and V. alginolyticus were inhibited by H. scoparia, L. acaciae, and P. harmala (7-20.5 mm). The pathogen S. iniae was inhibited by Ochradenus baccatus and Reseda stenostachya (10.5 mm). The benefits of using desert plants as an alternative to conventional antibiotics are discussed.