Bacterial brown stripe of rice in soil-less culture system caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acidovorax avenae</Emphasis> subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">avenae</Emphasis> in China

In 2010, the outbreak of a disease with symptoms similar to bacterial brown stripe was observed in rice seedlings planted in a perlite culture system in China. The causal bacterium was identified as Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae based on its biochemical and physiological characteristics, cellular fatty acid composition, Biolog data, specific PCR detection and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The bacterial isolates caused similar symptoms after inoculation of rice seedlings. This report is the first of bacterial brown stripe of rice in a soil-less culture system caused by A. avenae subsp. avenae in China.     

Molecular identification and prevalence of Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae causing red stripe of sugarcane in China

Red stripe caused by the bacterium Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae (Aaa) is a disease of sugarcane that is distributed worldwide. In this study, 108 sugarcane leaf samples were collected in 2013–2016 from nine sugarcane‐growing regions in China. Aaa was detected by PCR with specific and novel primers from the 16S–23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer region in 81 of 84 (96%) leaves with red stripe symptoms and in 20 of 24 (83%) leaves without symptoms. Furthermore, Aaa was detected in all nine sampling locations representing six sugarcane‐producing provinces in China. The 101 amplified fragments were cloned and sequenced. The size of the nucleotide sequences varied from 436 to 454 bp and the sequence identity ranged from 89.2% to 100%, suggesting a significant genetic variation among Aaa strains from China. Five major restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) profiles were obtained by in silico and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analyses of the PCR products digested with HindIII and EcoRI. The causal agent of sugarcane red stripe was also successfully isolated from a diseased plant and its pathogenicity confirmed by inoculation of healthy sugarcane plantlets and reproduction of disease symptoms. The data showed that Aaa is currently widespread in China, suggesting that control methods should be implemented to limit the impact of red stripe on sugarcane production.     

Isolation and genetic characterization of Acidovorax avenae from red stripe infected sugarcane in Northwestern Argentina

Red stripe is a bacterial disease of sugarcane causing important economic losses in Argentina that affects 30 % of the milling stems and consequently the juice quality. In this study, sugarcane leaves exhibiting red stripe symptoms were sampled in the 2008–09 growing season from 13 different sugarcane producing areas of Tucumán and Salta (northwest of Argentina). To achieve the identification and characterization of the causal agent of red stripe, bacterial isolation was performed. Species-specific PCR using Oaf1/Oar1 primers allowed the amplification of a fragment of 550 bp from approximately 50 % of the isolates; 16S rDNA sequences analysis displayed a similarity greater than 99 % with Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae. By means of RAPD-PCR the presence of at least four different biotypes among the analyzed isolates was detected. Results of pathogenicity test allowed us to confirm A. avenae subsp. avenae as the pathogenic agent for red stripe. This study constitutes the first report on the identification and molecular characterization of this plant pathogen from the Argentina sugarcane production areas. The genetic diversity observed among A. avenae is an important factor to be considered to improve an accurate diagnosis and/or the selection of sugarcane tolerant clones.     

Occurrence of chrysanthemum virescence caused by “<Emphasis Type="Italic">Candidatus</Emphasis> Phytoplasma aurantifolia” in Okinawa

In 1999, a disease of chrysanthemum [Dendranthema grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitamura], characterized by virescence of flowers, occurred in Okinawa Prefecture. The causal agent was identified as “Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia” based on 16S rDNA sequencing. The nucleotide sequence data reported are available in the DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank databases under accession number AB247462.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pectobacterium carotovorum</Emphasis> subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">brasiliensis</Emphasis> causing blackleg on potatoes in South Africa

In South Africa during the 2006/2007 potato growing season, outbreaks of blackleg occurred, causing severe economic losses in commercial potato production fields. Symptoms were initially observed on only one stem per plant, on which the top leaves rolled upwards, wilted and became necrotic. As symptoms progressed to the lower leaves with subsequent leaf desiccation, a light to dark brown discolouration of the vascular system at the stem base developed, followed by external darkening. Under prevailing wet and humid conditions stems became slimy and pale. In the stems, the pith became necrotic and hollow. These symptoms were similar to those described in Brazil, where the causal agent was identified as a new subspecies, Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. brasiliensis (Pbcb). Isolations from plants showing typical blackleg symptoms were made on CVP medium. Sequences and phylogenetic analysis of the partial 16S–23S rDNA intergenic spacer region indicated that the isolates were Pbcb. Comparison of PCR-RFLP patterns of the 16S–23S rDNA of isolates to reference cultures confirmed the identity of the South African blackleg strains as Pbcb, identical to strain 8 isolated in Brazil. This is the first report of Pbcb in South Africa and it appears to be the most important causal agent of blackleg in South Africa. The disease poses a major potential threat to the South African potato industry especially in terms of seed exports, tuber quality and yield.     

Identification and characterization of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enterobacter</Emphasis> complex causing mulberry (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Morus alba</Emphasis>) wilt disease in China

Mulberry wilt disease (MWD) was recently identified in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China. Typical symptoms of the disease are browning of vascular tissues, leaf wilt, defoliation, and tree decline. Unlike the symptoms of bacterial wilt disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, symptoms of MWD generally started from the bottom of the plants and moved upward. In inoculation experiments, four selected MWD strains caused mulberry shoot leaf wilt, discoloration, and defoliation. They also induced whole plant leaf wilt, defoliation and dark brown discoloration of vascular tissue. Based on Biolog metabolic profiles, fatty acid methyl ester analysis (FAME) and sequence analysis of the partial 16S rDNA and rpoB genes four MWD strains were identified as members of the genus Enterobacter. The 16S rDNA and rpoB gene sequences revealed a close relationship among two isolates, R2-2 and R6-2, and the E. asburiae type strain JCM6051. The isolates showed >98% similarity to E. asburiae JCM6051 in their rpoB gene. These results indicated that isolates R2-2 and R6-2 belonged to E. asburiae. No similarity in 16S rDNA sequences above 97% was found between either of the remaining isolates, R11-2 or R18-2, and any recognized Enterobacter species, suggesting that the two isolates may represent novel Enterobacter species. rpoB gene similarity values between the isolates and Enterobacter spp. type strains were <98%, providing further evidence that the two isolates may represent a novel species within the Enterobacter. The causal agent for MWD was previously reported to be E. cloacae, however, this study found that other Enterobacter spp. (E. asburiae and Enterobacter sp.) also cause MWD.     

Microbial community profiles in intercellular fluid of rice

Plants harbor microorganisms that are thought to stimulate plant defense systems or promote plant growth. Individual species in these intercellular microbial communities are often not sufficiently abundant to be easily described, although some endophytic microorganisms amenable to culture have been characterized. To better understand the microbial population of plants, we collected intercellular fluid (IF) from leaf blades and sheaths of rice and subsequently isolated DNA from the IF. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of 16S and 18S rDNA fragments amplified from IF DNA by PCR indicated that these band patterns were distinguishable from those of a leaf surface-wash fluid (SF). Analysis of a set of rDNA fragments amplified from IF DNA of rice with different genotypes, paddies or growth stages for the primary survey of overall microbial community in the IF suggested that this approach is suitable for analyzing microbial diversity in the IF from various plant samples. Actually, comparative analysis of amplified rDNA fragments of rice and other five plant species indicated that the microbial diversity in IF is likely to vary substantially among plant species. We can also use sequence analysis of 16S rDNA fragments amplified from rice IF DNA to identify species including unculturable bacteria and proteobacteria and Xanthomonas and 18S rDNA fragments to identify Tilletiaria anomala, Tilletia iowensis, Ustilago maydis and unculturable eukaryotes. Thus, IF DNA analysis seems to be a good tool to further study the microbial ecology of plants.     

Characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pectobacterium carotovorum</Emphasis> subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">carotovorum</Emphasis> causing soft-rot disease on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinellia ternata</Emphasis> in China

Pinellia ternata is a traditional Chinese herb which has been used in China for over 1,000 years. A soft-rot disease characterized by water-soaked lesions and soft-rot symptoms with a stinking odour was commonly observed in cultivated fields of this plant, and Pectobacterium-like bacteria were consistently isolated from the infected tissues. Two typical strains (SXR1 and ZJR1), isolated from Shanxi and Zhejiang, respectively, were identified. Pathogenicity tests revealed that these strains were virulent to P. ternata and induced the same symptoms as observed in the field. Characterization involving fatty acid profile, metabolic and physiological properties, 16S rDNA sequence and PCR-RFLP identified both isolates as P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc). The 16S rDNA of both isolates shared 97–99% sequence similarity with that of Pcc strains. The phylogenetic trees showed that both isolates were clustered in the group of Pcc and P. carotovorum subsp. odorifera and both PCR-RFLP profiles were consistent with the pattern E produced by the minority of Pcc strains. Thus, isolates SXR1 and ZJR1 were characterized as Pcc in spite of some differences. This is the first report that Pcc has been proven as a causal agent of soft-rot disease on P. ternata.     

新疆加工型辣椒一种新的细菌性叶斑病病原的鉴定

2014—2015年在新疆沙湾县加工型辣椒Capsicum annuumL.上发现一种细菌性叶斑病。为明确其病原种类,采用组织分离法分离病原菌,依据柯赫氏法则进行致病性测定,并对菌株进行16S rDNA和持家基因rpoD及gry B的扩增、序列测定和系统发育分析,对其进行鉴定。结果表明,获得的8个细菌菌株间致病力无明显差异。致病细菌与已报道的黄褐假单胞菌Pseudomonas fulva菌株的16S rDNA、rpoD基因、gry B基因的同源性分别达到了99.1%~99.9%、99.4%~99.5%和97.6%~100.0%。结合革兰氏染色反应、菌体形态、培养性状、生理生化反应、寄主范围等特征,将病原菌鉴定为黄褐假单胞菌。该病原菌通过人工接种还能侵染番茄、茄子、马铃薯、黄瓜、西瓜、甜瓜、四季豆、豆角、豇豆、白菜、萝卜、胡萝卜及芹菜等多种植物。     

Comparative Analysis of Japanese and Foreign Strains of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ralstonia solanacearum</Emphasis> Based on 16S Ribosomal RNA Gene Sequences

We determined nearly the complete sequences of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) for Japanese strains of R. solanacearum. The comparison of 1471 nucleotide positions separated the Japanese strains into two groups, group 1 with biovars 1, 2, 3 and 4 strains which belonged to race 1, and group 2 with biovar 2 strains corresponding to race 3. Group 1 strains all had identical sequences, and strains representing the four biovars within the group did not differ from each other. Group 2 strains had characteristic nucleotides which differed at seven positions from group 1 strains. Comparative analysis of Japanese and foreign strains based on 16S rDNA sequences showed that Japanese group 1 was closely related to Asian and Australian biovars 3, 4 and 5, and belonged to the known division 1. Japanese group 2 was homogeneous to Indonesian biovars 2 and N2 in subdivision 2b. Since the differences in the nucleotides corresponded to restriction sites for the AluI, RFLP analysis of PCR-amplified 16S rDNA efficiently differentiated not only Japanese group 1 from group 2, but also differentiated three types of foreign strains which differed in biovar and geographic origin. Received 26 July 1999/ Accepted in revised form 19 November 1999     

Specific Oligonucleotide Primers Based on Sequences of the 16S-23S rDNA Spacer Region for the Detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Burkholderia gladioli </Emphasis>by PCR

Specific primers were designed based on the sequences of the spacer region between the 16S and 23S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) for direct, rapid and specific detection of Burkholderia gladioli. These primers were named GLA-f and GLA-r. PCR performed on boiled bacterial suspensions yielded an amplification product of approximately 300 bp. No products from other bacterial species, including B. glumae were amplified, even after complete DNA extraction by the cetyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide (CTAB) method. Using the specific primers designed in this study, the PCR method can detect B. gladioli in plant samples within 6 hr. These data demonstrate the potential of specific PCR for the detection of B. gladioli. Received 10 December 2001/ Accepted in revised form 15 April 2002     

浙江西兰花花球头腐病的病原鉴定

为明确近年来浙江省宁波市部分地区发生的西兰花花球头腐病的病原,通过田间症状观察、致病性测定、Biolog和脂肪酸(fatty acid methyl ester,FAME)分析将分离到的病原菌鉴定为荧光假单胞菌Pseudomonas fluorescens.利用16S rDNA和核糖体DNA内转录间隔区(internal transcribed spacer,ITS)序列构建的系统发育树也都显示分离的西兰花菌株与假单胞菌聚合成群,其中与荧光假单胞菌的亲缘关系最近,序列同源性分别为99%和98%.表明浙江省西兰花花球上发生的细菌性头腐病由荧光假单胞菌引起.     

PCR-mediated Detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xanthomonas oryzae </Emphasis>pv. <Emphasis Type="Italic">oryzae </Emphasis>by Amplification of the 16S–23S rDNA Spacer Region Sequence

A detection method specific for Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, the pathogen responsible for bacterial blight of rice, was based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and designed by amplifying the 16S–23S rDNA spacer region from this bacterium. The nucleotide sequence of the spacer region between the 16S and 23S rDNA, consisting of approximately 580-bp, from X. oryzae pv. oryzae, X. campestris pv. alfalfae, X. campestris pv. campestris, X. campestris pv. cannabis, X. campestris pv. citri, X. campestris pv. cucurbitae, X. campestris pv. pisi, X. campestris pv. pruni and X. campestris pv. vitians, was determined. The determined sequences had more than 95% identity. Therefore, a pair of primers, XOR-F (5′-GCATGACGTCATCGTCCTGT-3′) and XOR-R2 (5′-CTCGGAGCTATATGCCGTGC-3′) was designed and found to specifically amplify a 470-bp fragment from all strains of X. oryzae pv. oryzae isolated from diverse regions in Japan. No PCR product was amplified from X. campestris pathovars alfalfae, campestris, cannabis, carotae, cucurbitae, dieffenbachiae, glycines, pisi, pruni, vitians or zantedeschiae, except for pathovars citri, incanae and zinniae. The method could also detect the pathogen in infected rice leaves within 3 hr, at a detection limit of 4×10¹ cfu/ml. Received 17 December 1999/ Accepted in revised form 10 April 2000     

Occurrence of rocket larkspur witches’ broom caused by “<Emphasis Type="Italic">Candidatus</Emphasis> Phytoplasma asteris” in Japan

In October 2001, a disease of rocket larkspur (Cosolida ambigua (L.) P. W. Ball et Heyw), characterized by witches’ broom, yellows and virescence of flowers, was found in Yakage Town in Okayama Prefecture. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of phytoplasma-like bodies in the phloem of diseased plants. The causal phytoplasma was identified as “Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris” based on 16S rDNA sequence analysis, and demonstrated to be acquired by the leafhopper Macrosteles striifrons. The nucleotide sequence data reported are available in the DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank databases under the accession number AB258330.     

禾谷类作物細菌性褐条病病原菌的鉴定

 禾谷类作物细菌性褐条病是我国局部地区禾谷类作物生产上的一种重要病害。通过对几种有关细菌的致病性,细菌学性状和DNA中G+C含量的比较研究,认为发生在我国的水稻细菌性褐条病是由Pseudomonas avenae Manns引起的,供试的黍、粟和稗细菌性褐条病菌都属于P.avenae;小麦上的细菌性褐条病是由Pseudo-monas syringae的一个致病变种引起的。此外,还从看麦娘上分离到一种国内尚无报道的水稻细菌性鞘褐腐病菌Pseudomonas fuscovaginae Tanil et al.。     

Molecular characterization of the phytoplasmas associated with toon trees and periwinkle in India

In November 2008 in Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh regions in India, toon trees and periwinkles were observed to have formed short internodes, small leaves and witches’-broom symptoms, typical of phytoplasma infection. The symptomatic toon and periwinkle samples were tested with universal PCR tests, and the 16S rRNA, rplB-rpsC, secA and secY genes were sequenced. The causal agents belonged to subgroup 16SrI-B of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’, based on 16S rDNA, ribosomal protein gene, secA and secY phylogenetic analysis.     

甘蔗赤条病菌巢式PCR检测

甘蔗赤条病是由燕麦食酸菌燕麦亚种(Acidovorax avenae subsp.avenae,Aaa)引起的一种世界性甘蔗细菌病害。为建立Aaa快速、灵敏的检测技术,根据该病菌16S~23S核糖体基因及其转录间隔区ITS分别设计2对特异性引物,建立Aaa巢式PCR检测方法。结果表明,建立的巢式PCR方法对Aaa标准菌株、水稻食酸菌A.oryzae具有特异性,可扩增出454 bp目的条带,对近缘种德氏食酸菌A.delafieldii及其它科属的红色雷夫松氏菌Leifsonia rubra和甘蔗宿根矮化病菌L.xyli subsp.xyli未扩增出任何条带。以感染Aaa的甘蔗叶片总DNA、含ITS靶标片段的质粒DNA标准品及Aaa标准菌液为模板,巢式PCR灵敏度最低检测限分别为10 fg/μL、10拷贝/μL和36 CFU/mL,是常规PCR灵敏度的1 000倍。应用巢式PCR和常规PCR对14份有赤条病症状的田间甘蔗叶片样品进行平行检测,阳性检出率分别为100.0%和28.6%,表明巢式PCR比常规PCR检测方法具有更高的灵敏度。本研究建立的巢式PCR方法适合于田间甘蔗赤条病害的分子检测与鉴定。     

Bacterial pathogens of rice in the Kingdom of Cambodia and description of a new pathogen causing a serious sheath rot disease

A study of rice diseases in Cambodia from 2005 to 2007 showed widespread occurrence of diseases caused by Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae, Burkholderia gladioli, B. cepacia and Pantoea ananatis. This is the first report of these pathogens in Cambodia. Additionally, a pseudomonad causing a widespread disease similar to sheath brown rot (caused by Pseudomonas fuscovaginae) was isolated. The studied strains were pathogenic to rice cvs Sen Pidau and IR 66, producing similar, though slightly less severe, symptoms to those observed in the field. Based on comparative 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis, combined with cell wall fatty acid analysis and metabolic profiles, the isolated strains were allocated to the genus Pseudomonas. The novel species were differentiated from Pseudomonas fuscovaginae and P. putida by their inability to metabolize d ‐fructose, d ‐galactose, d ‐galactonic acid lactone, d ‐galacturonic acid, d ‐glucosaminic acid, d ‐glucuronic acid, p‐hydroxy phenylacetic acid, d ‐saccharic acid and urocanic acid. The major fatty acids were C_16:0, summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω7c and C_16:1ω6c) and summed feature 8 (C_18:1ω7c), representing 80% of the total. Partial 16S rRNA gene sequences (1460 bp) were identical, except for two nucleotide changes amongst the six strains. Alignment of the causal strains within type‐culture databases revealed similarities of 99·7% with Pseudomonas parafulva AJ 2129^T, 99·2% with P. fulva IAM 1592^T, 98·9% with P. plecoglossicidia FPC 951^T, and 98·1% with P. fuscovaginae MAFF 301177^T. On the basis of data from this polyphasic study, it is proposed that the unknown strains isolated from rice represent a novel species of the genus Pseudomonas.     

Evaluation of Gram-positive rhizosphere and endophytic bacteria for biological control of fungal rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryzia sativa</Emphasis> L.) pathogens

Gram-positive bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere and inside the roots of rice were characterized for plant growth promoting (PGP) traits and antifungal activity against some rice plant pathogenic fungi of rice. The results showed the endophytic and rhizosphere isolates had different PGP traits and antifungal activity. Only one rhizosphere isolate and one endophytic isolate showed highly inhibitory effects against the mycelial growth of all fungal rice pathogens tested in this study. The best bacterial isolates, based on multiple PGP traits and inhibitory effects against the mycelial growth of all fungal rice pathogens, were identified. Based on biochemical tests and by comparison of 16S rDNA sequences, the endophytic isolate REN₃ and the rhizosphere isolate REN₄ were closely related to Bacillus cereus and Bacillus mojavensis respectively. The broad-spectrum antifungal strains, the REN₃ and REN₄ isolates analyzed here, exert multiple PGP and antagonistic activity and represent an excellent option to be used as either potent bio-promoting or bio-control agents in rice under in vitro conditions. This application may help to minimize dependence on pesticides, which have adverse effects on the environment, finally leading to have sustainable environments. In conclusion, the results of antifungal activity showed rice harbors bacteria with a good potential in biocontrol of rice fungal pathogens.     

西藏油菜种子内生菌分离及具有多种促生特性的拮抗菌筛选

为保障油料作物安全和绿色农业发展,从西藏自治区4个市收集5种甘蓝型油菜种子样品,通过平板分离获得种子可培养内生菌,对获得的菌株进行溶磷、解钾、固氮和产吲哚乙酸(indoleacetic acid,IAA)促生特性测定,筛选具有多种促生特性的菌株,测定其对禾谷镰孢菌Fusarium graminearum、油菜菌核病菌Sclerotinia sclerotiorum和燕麦镰刀菌F. avenaceum三种病原菌的拮抗性能及对油菜幼苗的促生效果,并对其进行分子生物学鉴定。结果显示,西藏油菜种子可培养内生菌丰富,优势菌为芽胞杆菌,共分离到110株内生菌,其中具有多种促生特性的菌株为12株,有4株菌株对禾谷镰孢菌、油菜菌核病菌和燕麦镰刀菌中2种以上菌有抑制作用,抑制率在49.50%～66.83%之间,分别为DJ-T-6、NM-8-10、DJ-L-4和BL-T-15菌株,经16S rDNA基因序列鉴定其分别为贝莱斯芽胞杆菌Bacillus velezensis、萎缩芽胞杆菌Ba. atrophaeus和缺陷短波单胞菌Brevundimonas diminuta,且均对油菜幼苗有显著的促生作用。表...