Dataset on Bacterial Diversity in Tomato Fruits: Molecular Characterization and Pathogenicity Profiling of Endophytes, Pathogens, and Saprophytic Colonizers

This dataset provides comprehensive molecular and phenotypic characterization of bacterial diversity in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruits from Nigerian markets. Through systematic isolation, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and pathogenicity screening, we characterized 14 bacterial species representing three distinct ecological groups: (i) four endophytic Bacillus species isolated from healthy fruits that exhibited no pathogenic potential, (ii) four pathogenic species from diseased fruits capable of causing soft rot disease, and (iii) six saprophytic colonizers isolated from diseased fruits but lacking pathogenic activity.