Plant Pathology (2021) 70, 2179-2187

Tsror (Lahkim) Leah, Valerie Hélias, Sara Mordechai-Lebiush, Orly Erlich, Marina Hazanovsky, Laura Chalupowicz, Michal Reuven, Orit Dror, Lea Valinsky, Angelique Laurent and Shulamit Manulis-Sasson (2021)
Characterization of Pectobacterium brasiliense strains from potato and vegetables in Israel
Plant Pathology 70 (9), 2179-2187
Abstract: Pectobacterium brasiliense (Pbr) infects a wide range of crops worldwide, causing potato blackleg and soft rot and vegetable soft rots. This study aimed to characterize the genetic diversity and virulence variability among 68 Pbr strains isolated from either symptomless potato progeny tubers, diseased potato plants, ware potatoes wash water, or vegetables grown in Israel, as well as strains isolated from symptomless seed tubers grown in Europe, or diseased potato plants grown in France. The collection was typed using PCR and TaqMan real-time PCR analyses, dnaX sequence analysis, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and pectolytic activity. dnaX phylogeny grouped almost all strains in a common genetic clade related to Pbr, which was distinct from the other Pectobacterium species. PFGE analysis identified two main clusters, including one major group of 47 strains with 95%–100% similarity. Maceration assays on two potato cultivars showed significant differences between strains but with no correlations with the source of the strains nor the status of the host (with/without symptoms). Molecular (dnaX sequences and PFGE profiles) and phenotypic analyses (tuber maceration tests) showed that the tested Pbr strains are not a homogeneous group. Analysis of the tested Pbr strains isolated from potato and vegetables grown in fields with a history of potato cultivation suggests that seed tubers imported from Europe may be the main source for Pbr in Israel. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that describes biodiversity and population structure of P. brasiliense isolated from potato and vegetables under hot climate conditions.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Shulamit Manulis-Sasson

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution
quarantine treatments/regulations/aspects

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Pectobacterium brasiliense	Potato (Solanum tuberosum)	France
	Pectobacterium brasiliense	Potato (Solanum tuberosum)	Israel