Genetic diversity and aggressiveness of Erwinia psidii on Eucalyptus spp. in Brazil

The genetic variability and aggressiveness of Brazilian Erwinia psidii isolates from Eucalyptus spp. was studied and compared with reference isolates from guava (Psidium guajava). Repetitive element sequence (rep)-based PCR markers of 101 isolates from Eucalyptus spp. and five from guava showed that the populations of E. psidii displayed a relatively low genetic variability. No correlation of genetic clustering based on rep-PCR analysis with geographic origin or host of origin was observed, indicating that genome rearrangements associated with adaptation to a particular host were not detected by these molecular markers. A higher genotypic richness was detected in the Mato Grosso do Sul population, probably reflecting a pathogen dissemination associated with the recent expansion in eucalypt plantations. Wilcoxon and ANOVA tests of disease severity data indicated differences in aggressiveness among isolates and an isolate × clone interaction. The area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) and disease severity for some isolates were significantly different between two susceptible clones tested. Notably, isolate LPF681 from guava was not able to cause disease on a susceptible Eucalyptus urophylla clone, suggesting that some co-evolution between pathogen and host has taken place. The variability in aggressiveness and virulence among isolates of E. psidii observed in this study will be important for the establishment of appropriate screening approaches to select for disease resistance.