Survival of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis in tomato debris under greenhouse conditions

Bacterial canker, caused by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis, is one of the most important diseases of tomato worldwide. Once the pathogen has been introduced into an area, i.e. by contaminated seeds or transplants, it survives mainly on host debris. In different geographic areas the survival time of the pathogen in crop residues under field conditions has been very variable, ranging from 2 months in Morocco to 2 years in Iowa (USA). This study took place in the horticultural belt of Buenos Aires – La Plata, Argentina, where greenhouse production prevails, and monoculture with two production cycles per year is a common practice. The aim was to determine the survival time of this pathogen in plant residues left on the soil surface or buried. During three consecutive years, by the end of both production cycles in July (winter) and December (summer), above‐ (stem, petiole) and belowground (root) tissues were placed into nylon netting bags and left on the soil surface or buried at 10 cm depth. The pathogen population was regularly quantified by dilution plating on semiselective medium. In host debris left on the soil surface, bacteria survived 120–260 days for crop production cycles that ended in winter and 45–75 days for those that ended in summer. In stems or roots buried in winter, this period was 45–75 days. It is concluded that host debris, including roots, might be an important primary inoculum source of the pathogen in greenhouses.     

Effects of nutrient solution pH on the survival and transmission of Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. michiganensis in hydroponically grown tomatoes

The effect of pH on the survival of Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. michiganensis and its transmission via roots of tomato in hydroponic culture was studied in laboratory and greenhouse experiments. In a laboratory experiment, C . m. ssp. michiganensis could not survive for 24 h in nutrient solutions with a pH of 4·0 or 4·5, while 1, 14, 51 and 62% of inoculum survived at pH 5·0, 5·5, 6·0 and 6·5, respectively. When tomato plants were inoculated with C . m. ssp. michiganensis through wounds on the stems, the bacteria moved downward from the inoculation site to the roots and infectious bacteria were released from the roots into the nutrient solution. Of two pH regimes tested in greenhouse nutrient-film technique (NFT) culture, the C . m. ssp. michiganensis population was significantly lower in pH 5·0 than in pH 6·5 in most sampling data. In treatments in which C . m. ssp. michiganensis was introduced by transplanting two root-inoculated plants, significantly more plants developed canker at pH 6·5 (34 out of 48 plants) than at pH 5·0 (11 out of 48 plants). When the bacterium was introduced by transplanting two stem-inoculated plants at pH 6·5, seven out of 24 plants developed canker. The potential of pH manipulation in controlling tomato bacterial canker in hydroponic culture is discussed.     

不同来源番茄溃疡病菌致病力差异研究

采用打顶法接种、半选择性培养基再分离发病植株中的病原菌,以及特异性PCR验证方法,对来自3个国家9个不同地区的46株番茄溃疡病菌进行了致病性测定,以病情指数评价不同菌株的致病力。结果显示,分离自我国河北滦平县、内蒙古包头市等地的24株菌株的病情指数达到75以上,属于强致病力水平;11株菌株的病情指数为50~75,属于中等致病力;而9株菌株的病情指数为50以下,属于弱致病力;检测同时证实,有2株属于无致病力菌株。强致病力、中等致病力、弱致病力和无致病力菌株占供试菌株总数的比例分别为52.2%、23.9%、19.6%和4.3%,表明供试的46株番茄溃疡病菌存在不同程度的致病力差异。     

Colonization and movement of GFP-labeled Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis during tomato infection

The vascular pathogen Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis is responsible for bacterial wilt and canker of tomato. Pathogenicity of this bacterium is dependent on plasmid-borne virulence factors and serine proteases located on the chromosomal chp/tomA pathogenicity island (PAI). In this study, colonization patterns and movement of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis during tomato infection was examined using a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled strain. A plasmid expressing GFP in C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis was constructed and found to be stable in planta for at least 1 month. Confocal laser-scanning microscopy (CLSM) of inoculated stems showed that the pathogen extensively colonizes the lumen of xylem vessels and preferentially attaches to spiral secondary wall thickening of the protoxylem. Acropetal movement of the wild-type strain C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis NCPPB382 (Cmm382) in tomato resulted in an extensive systemic colonization of the whole plant reaching the apical region after 15 days, whereas Cmm100 (lacking the plasmids pCM1 and pCM2) or Cmm27 (lacking the chp/tomA PAI) remained confined to the area surrounding of the inoculation site. Cmm382 formed biofilm-like structures composed of large bacterial aggregates on the interior of xylem walls as observed by CLSM and scanning electron microscopy. These findings suggest that virulence factors located on the chp/tomA PAI or the plasmids are required for effective movement of the pathogen in tomato and for the formation of cellular aggregates.     

番茄溃疡病菌的PCR-DHPLC快速检测

根据番茄溃疡病菌ITS序列,设计并合成了PCR-DHPLC检测引物,对番茄溃疡病菌及其他病菌共10个标准菌株进行了PCR-DHPLC检测。结果表明,番茄溃疡病菌的PCR-DHPLC检测图谱出现了特异性吸收峰,而其他病菌均未在相同洗脱时间出现吸收峰,说明这种方法具有检测番茄溃疡病菌的特异性。灵敏度实验结果表明,PCR-DHPLC体系与PCR-琼脂糖凝胶电泳体系的检测灵敏度一致。研究表明,PCR-DHPLC方法是一种特异、灵敏、快速的番茄溃疡病菌检测方法。     

Induction of defence-related enzymes and resistance by the plant activator acibenzolar-S-methyl in tomato seedlings against bacterial canker caused by Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. michiganensis

Using tomato seedlings, the plant defence activator acibenzolar-S-methyl (benzo-[1,2,3]-thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid-S-methyl ester, ASM; Bion 50 WG) was assayed for its ability to induce resistance against Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. michiganensis , the causal agent of bacterial canker of tomato. In ASM-pretreated plants, reduction in disease severity (up to 76·3%) was correlated with lower bacterial growth (up to 68·2% lower) during the time course of infection. To understand the possible mechanism of action of ASM, alterations in the activities of peroxidase (POX) and chitinase were assessed as markers of resistance. The enhanced resistance of ASM-treated plants was associated with significant increases in the activities of POX and chitinase     

中国北方番茄细菌性溃疡病菌的rep-PCR基因指纹图谱分析

对来自全国若干省市的番茄细菌性溃疡病菌(Clavibacter michiganensis subsp.michiganensis)的33个菌株进行rep-PCR分析。结果表明,用引物BOX分别扩增出6～15条多态性条带,条带大多数集中在500～2800bp之间;用引物ERIC扩增的条带不清晰,可能是反应条件不适合,也可能是其不适合对番茄细菌性溃疡病菌进行多态性分析;BOX-PCR表明番茄细菌性溃疡病菌菌株具有丰富的遗传多态性和较大的遗传变异,对产生的指纹图谱进行分析:在遗传距离为0.18时,测试的33个菌株可划分为Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ、Ⅵ和Ⅶ等7个遗传相似组群,其中Ⅵ组群包含的菌株最多。研究还表明番茄细菌性溃疡病菌的遗传分群与菌株的地理来源关系密切,但与该病的发病年份上没有必然联系,这也从另一侧面说明了该病害是土壤带菌引起的。     

Ingress of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis into Tomato Leaves Through Hydathodes

ABSTRACT Hydathodes of tomato leaves served as extremely efficient infection courts for the bacterial canker pathogen, Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis. Chlorotic lesions developed at the tips of leaflet lobes about 2 weeks after inoculation of guttation droplets. Lesions expanded along the leaflet margins and became necrotic. Movement of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis from the inoculated leaflet into the rachis was slow and erratic. Histological observations revealed that pathogen populations first developed within large intercellular spaces lying beneath the stomata, which serve as water pores in tomato hydathodes. Bacteria were first observed within vessels of the large marginal fimbriate veins 7 days after inoculation. By 14 days after inoculation, large populations could be seen within the vessels; and by 21 days after inoculation, tissue collapse was widespread and masses of bacteria could be seen in the intercellular spaces and within necrotic cells.     

The use of polymerase chain reaction to detect latent infection of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis in tomato seedlings

A method was developed for routine analysis to detect latent infection of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis in samples from tomato seedling lots, before transplant, using polymerase chain reaction. In samples of 300 stem segments 1 cm long, the sensitivity threshold of the method was estimated at around 1.1 × 10³ corynebacteria or 0.33% of latently infected stems. This method was shown to have a good specificity.     

Comparison of extraction procedures and determination of the detection threshold for Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. michiganensis in tomato seeds

Several seed extraction procedures, used for detection of Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. michiganensis ( Cmm ) in naturally infected and artificially infested tomato seed lots were evaluated. Extraction methods that included grinding the seeds were significantly better at detecting the pathogen in three different seed lots than methods that used only soaking. The detection threshold of Cmm in relation to seed sample size was determined by adding naturally infected seeds into samples of three different sizes. Cmm was detected by agar plating assay, on three media (CNS, mSCM, D₂ANX), and by direct PCR from seeds and Bio-PCR (bacteria cultured on agar media prior to PCR). In samples of 10 000 seeds containing one infected seed, Cmm could be detected only by Bio-PCR and in only one replicate out of five. In samples containing five or 10 infected seeds per 10 000 seeds, three of five and five of five replicates, respectively, were detected by the three detection methods. In samples of 5000 seeds, one infected seed could be detected in all five replicates only after adding a concentration step. A high correlation ( R ² = 0·9448) between artificially infested seeds and the disease incidence was found. Seed lots infested with less than 58 colony-forming units (CFU) per g did not cause disease under glasshouse conditions, whereas lots with about 1000 CFU g⁻¹ caused disease in 78 plants out of 2000.     

Solarization of soil in piles for the control of Meloidogyne incognita in olive nurseries in southern Spain

The potential of solarization to control Meloidogyne incognita in piles of soil used at olive nurseries in southern Spain was studied in 1999 and 2000. Kaolin and soil infested with free eggs and egg masses of the nematode in nylon bags were buried 20 and 40 cm deep inside conical piles of soil 80 cm high and with a base diameter of 1 m. Soil piles were solarized for 3 weeks in July and August. The effect of various periods of solarization was assessed by egg hatch bioassays in sterile water, and by infectivity to tomato plants. Maximum soil temperature at 20 cm depth in solarized piles was 47·4°C in 1999 and 48·2°C in 2000, compared with 32·9°C and 31·7°C in nonsolarized piles. Solarization reduced egg hatch by > 95% compared with nonsolarized samples, irrespective of type, burial depth and location of inocula in a soil pile. Egg hatch of egg mass-infested samples buried at 20 cm depth was higher than that of free eggs buried at the same depth. The differential effect associated with burial depth and type of inoculum was not found in solarized piles. In nonsolarized piles, hatch of free eggs from samples buried at 40 cm depth was higher than that from samples buried at 20 cm depth. Egg hatch in samples from solarized piles was lower than that from nonsolarized piles. A bioassay of tomato plants in 2000 confirmed the reduction in infectivity of free eggs buried in solarized soil piles. Under the conditions in southern Spain, solarization of 40 cm-high piles of soil for 3 weeks can therefore be used for the control of root-knot nematodes in potting soil for olive nursery production.     

A new selective medium for isolation of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis from tomato plants and seed

A new selective and highly sensitive medium was developed for isolation of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm), the causal agent of bacterial canker of tomato, from seed and latently infected plants. The new medium (BCT) proved to be superior to all published semiselective media for Cmm and is denoted as selective medium because of (i) its mean plating efficiency, amounting to ≤89% within 7 days for all 30 Cmm strains from different sources tested; (ii) the high selectivity, because accompanying bacterial species occurring on tomato plants and seed or bacteria obtained from culture collections were inhibited to an extent of 98 to 100%; and (iii) the remarkable detection sensitivity. Thus, 8 CFU of Cmm in field plant homogenates containing 12,750 CFU of accompanying saprophytes were detected on BCT. Under these extreme conditions, all of the published semiselective media (D2, KBT, D2ANX, SCM, mSCM, CMM1, mCNS, and EPPO) gave false-negative results. Either some media were rather toxic and Cmm growth was also inhibited or the other, less toxic media allowed growth of high numbers of saprophytes, so that Cmm growth was suppressed. Exclusively, BCT also supported growth of the closely related C. michiganensis subsp. insidiosus, nebraskensis, and tessellarius. The new medium is recommended for Cmm detection in tomato seed, and in symptomless tomato plantlets, to improve disease control of bacterial canker of tomato.     

Silencing of host basal defense response-related gene expression increases susceptibility of Nicotiana benthamiana to Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis is an actinomycete, causing bacterial wilt and canker disease of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). We used virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) to identify genes playing a role in host basal defense response to C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis infection using Nicotiana benthamiana as a model plant. A preliminary VIGS screen comprising 160 genes from tomato known to be involved in defense-related signaling identified a set of 14 genes whose suppression led to altered host-pathogen interactions. Expression of each of these genes and three additional targets was then suppressed in larger-scale VIGS experiments and the effect of silencing on development of wilt disease symptoms and bacterial growth during an N. benthamiana-C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis compatible interaction was determined. Disease susceptibility and in planta bacterial population size were enhanced by silencing genes encoding N. benthamiana homologs of ubiquitin activating enzyme, snakin-2, extensin-like protein, divinyl ether synthase, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase 2, and Pto-like kinase. The identification of genes having a role in the host basal defense-response to C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis advances our understanding of the plant responses activated by C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis and raises possibilities for devising novel and effective molecular strategies to control bacterial canker and wilt in tomato.     

Colonization of tomato seedlings by bioluminescent Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis under different humidity regimes

Tomato bacterial canker, caused by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis, is transmitted by infected or infested seed and mechanically from plant to plant. Wounds occurring during seedling production and crop maintenance facilitate the dissemination of the pathogen. However, the effects of environmental factors on C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis translocation and growth as an endophyte have not been fully elucidated. A virulent, stable, constitutively bioluminescent C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis strain BL-Cmm 17 coupled with an in vivo imaging system allowed visualization of the C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis colonization process in tomato seedlings in real time. The dynamics of bacterial infection in seedlings through wounds were compared under low (45%) and high (83%) relative humidity. Bacteria multiplied rapidly in cotyledon petioles remaining after clip inoculation and moved in the stem toward both root and shoot. Luminescent signals were also observed in tomato seedling roots over time, and root development was reduced in inoculated plants maintained under both humidity regimes. Wilting was more severe in seedlings under high-humidity regimes. A strong positive correlation between light intensity and bacterial population in planta suggests that bioluminescent C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis strains will be useful in evaluating the efficacy of bactericides and host resistance.     

苜蓿萎蔫病菌TaqMan探针实时荧光PCR检测方法的建立

苜蓿萎蔫病菌是我国对外检疫性二类有害生物，目前国内尚无发生6在出入境捡验检疫中主要是采用生物学和血清学方法进行检测，劳动强度大，耗费时间长。根据苜蓿萎蔫病菌与其它细菌菌株16SrDNA序列差异，设计出对苜蓿萎蔫病菌具有稳定点突交特异性探针，利用该探针对棒形杆菌属4个种及其它属细菌进行了实时荧光PCR检测实验。结果表明，只有苜蓿萎蔫病菌能检测到荧光信号，其它细菌没有荧光产生。该方法特异性强，灵敏度高，能检测到21．4fg质粒DNA，比常规PCR灵敏100倍，而且整个过程只需要2～3h。该方法可有效地应用于进出境病原菌检测之中。     

Sulcotrione soil persistence and mobility in summer maize and winter wheat crops

Sulcotrione soil persistence in spring maize ( Zea mays L.) crops grown on a sandy loam soil was greater at pH 5·5 and 6·0 (soil half-life T _1/2≈58 days) than at pH 7·1 ( T _1/2 = 44 days). Sulcotrione was also applied as recommended on a summer maize crop at the five- to six-leaf growth stage, grown on a sandy loam soil. Sulcotrione soil half-life was 44 days, and the herbicide remained mainly in the 0- to 5-cm surface soil layer during the cropping period, in spite of the high water solubility and the heavy rains at the end of August; lower sulcotrione concentrations (10–18% of the total during the 2-month period after sulcotrione application) were detected in the 5- to 10-cm surface soil layer. The herbicide was applied pre-emergence to winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) at four sites that differed in their soil texture and composition: loamy sand, sandy loam, loam and clay loam. Persistence was greater in the soils containing more organic matter. In soils having similar organic matter contents, persistence was lower in the soil containing more sand relative to loam and clay. During the winter crops, sulcotrione moved down to the 10- to 15-cm soil layer, in spite of the fact that the rains were lower in winter than in summer. Sulcotrione most generally was not detected in the 15–20 cm soil layer of the maize and winter wheat crops.     

rep-PCR-Mediated Genomic Fingerprinting: A Rapid and Effective Method to Identify Clavibacter michiganensis

ABSTRACT The genomic DNA fingerprinting technique known as repetitive-sequence-based polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR) was evaluated as a tool to differentiate subspecies of Clavibacter michiganensis, with special emphasis on C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis, the pathogen responsible for bacterial canker of tomato. DNA primers (REP, ERIC, and BOX), corresponding to conserved repetitive element motifs in the genomes of diverse bacterial species, were used to generate genomic fingerprints of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis, C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus, C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis, C. michiganensis subsp. tessellarius, and C. michiganensis subsp. insidiosum. The rep-PCR-generated patterns of DNA fragments observed after agarose gel electrophoresis support the current division of C. michiganensis into five subspecies. In addition, the rep-PCR fingerprints identified at least four types (A, B, C, and D) within C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis based on limited DNA polymorphisms; the ability to differentiate individual strains may be of potential use in studies on the epidemiology and host-pathogen interactions of this organism. In addition, we have recovered from diseased tomato plants a relatively large number of naturally occurring avirulent C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis strains with rep-PCR fingerprints identical to those of virulent C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis strains.     

进境玉米中玉米内州萎蔫病菌的PCR检测

 为了快速准确检测进境玉米样品中的玉米内州萎蔫病菌Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis(Cmn), 根据GenBank中Cmn的16S-23S序列设计引物CM1/CM4和引物PSM1/CM3。引物PSM1/CM3仅能从供试的4株Cmn菌株中扩增获得208 bp的预期产物, 而其他36株对照菌株均不能扩增出预期条带。灵敏度测试结果表明引物CM1/CM4和PSM1/CM3组合的巢式PCR方法的检测灵敏度高于常规PCR, 检测灵敏度可达40 fg DNA或6.8 CFU目标细菌。常规PCR和巢式PCR方法对进境美国玉米样品的阳性检出率分别为8%和24%, 试验结果表明所建立的PCR方法可用于玉米样品中Cmn的快速检测。     

Phytophthora infestans in a subtropical region: survival on tomato debris, temporal dynamics of airborne sporangia and alternative hosts

Little is known about inoculum dynamics of late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans in tropical/subtropical areas, particularly in Brazil. The objectives of the present study were to assess (i) the survival of the pathogen on stems, leaflets and tomato fruits, either buried or not in soil; (ii) the pathogenicity of P . infestans to mostly solanaceous plant species commonly found in Brazil that could act as inoculum reservoir; and (iii) the temporal dynamics of airborne sporangia. Phytophthora infestans survived in tomato plant parts for less than 36 days under greenhouse and field conditions. In greenhouse tests, pathogen structures were detected earlier on crop debris kept in dry than in wet soil conditions. Isolates of two clonal lineages of P. infestans , US-1 from tomato, and BR-1 from potato, were inoculated on 43 plant species. In addition to potato and tomato, Petunia  ×  hybrida and Nicotiana benthamiana were susceptible to the pathogen. Airborne inoculum was monitored with Rotorod and Burkard spore traps as well as with tomato and potato trap plants. Sporangia were sampled in most weeks throughout 2004 and in the first two weeks of 2005. Under tropical/subtropical conditions, airborne inoculum is abundant and is more important to late blight epidemics than inoculum from crop debris or alternative hosts.     

番茄溃疡病菌PCR快速检测技术

番茄溃疡病是一种严重危害番茄生产的细菌性病害，许多国家将其列为检疫性病害。利用ITS通用引物扩增了番茄溃疡病菌（Clavibacter michiganensis subsp．michiganensis）的ITS序列，并进行克隆测序。根据序列比较结果设计了引物BT1和BT2，该引物特异性好，能专一扩增出268bp电泳条带，而马铃薯环腐病菌等不同亚种、不同属的细菌及健康的番茄材料均无扩增条带。从接种但未显症番茄苗叶片及人工模拟染菌种子上提取总DNA，以此为模板均能稳定地扩增出特异性目的条带。该方法直接对种子或植株进行检测，不需进行病原菌分离培养，快速简便，适用于出入境检验检疫及种苗健康检测领域。