Phylotype and sequevar variability of Ralstonia solanacearum in Brazil,an ancient centre of diversity of the pathogen

The β‐proteobacterium Ralstonia solanacearum causes bacterial wilt of many plant species. Knowledge of phylotype and sequevar variability in populations of this microorganism is useful for implementing control measures, particularly host resistance. To this end, 301 isolates of R. solanacearum were collected from different geographic regions and hosts in Brazil. Their phylotype and sequevar characterization was used to determine the amount and distribution of phenetic and phylogenetic variability. Isolates were classified into phylotypes I (n = 48), clade 1; and phylotype II, clades 2–5. Phylotype II was divided into subclusters IIA (n = 112) and IIB (n = 141). Phylotype II was widely distributed, whereas phylotype I isolates were found in Central, Northern, and Northeastern regions of Brazil. There were 108 haplotypes identified among endoglucanase (egl) gene sequences from 301 isolates and 32 haplotypes among DNA repair (mutS) gene regions from 176 isolates. The egl and mutS sequence analyses identified eight known (1, 4, 7, 18, 27, 28, 41 and 50) and four new (54, 55, 56 and 57) sequevars. Phylotype IIB showed high diversity in sequevars and host range. Multiplex PCR, using primers specific to the Moko ecotype, characterized banana and long pepper isolates as sequevar 4 and 4/NPB, respectively. This constitutes the first report of the emergent ecotype IIB/4NPB in a new host, long pepper. The majority of sequevars were associated with geographic regions. This high variability of R. solanacearum in Brazil suggests use of host resistance to control bacterial wilt should be mainly focused by region.     

Pathogenic and genetic variability of Ralstonia solanacearum strains from the Philippines

In the Philippines, bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the most important diseases affecting vegetables and banana. In this study, 89 strains of R. solanacearum isolated from various hosts were screened for their biovar, phylotype, pathogenicity, and genetic diversity. Foreign strains were included for comparison with these Philippine strains. Results of the biochemical and multiplex-PCR tests divided the Philippine strains into five biovars (1, 2, 3, 4, and N2) and three phylotypes (I, II, and IV). Three potato strains belonged to biovar N2/phylotype IV. Pathogenicity tests divided the strains into five pathogenicity types based on their virulence in tomato, potato, eggplant, sweet pepper, and tobacco. Strains classified as biovar N2 were weakly pathogenic to potato (pathogenicity type III) and almost all strains isolated from banana were not pathogenic to the test plants except potato (pathogenicity type V). The results of AFLP analysis divided the strains into four clusters. Cluster 1 was composed of strains isolated from solanaceous crops, ginger (Zingiber officinale), and Morus sp. from the Philippines and other Asian countries. Cluster 2 grouped the potato strains (biovar N2) from the Philippines and Japan and blood disease bacterium strains from Indonesia. Cluster 3 contained the local and foreign strains isolated from potato (biovar 2) and banana (biovar 1). Cluster 4 consisted only of the tomato strain from the USA.     

Wide genetic diversity of Ralstonia solanacearum strains affecting tomato in Trinidad,West Indies

The genetic diversity of Ralstonia solanacearum causing bacterial wilt of tomato in Trinidad was assessed using the hierarchical phylotyping scheme and rep‐PCR DNA fingerprinting. Seventy‐one isolates were collected in 2003 on infected tomato crops in the four main vegetable cropping areas of Trinidad (North, Central, South‐East and South). Two phylotypes were present, with phylotype II being much more prevalent (66%) than phylotype I (34%). Phylotype II strains consisted mainly of sequevar 7 in Central and South‐East, and sequevar 35 in North, South‐East and South. This is the first report of sequevar 7 outside south‐eastern USA. In contrast, no ‘brown rot’ (phylotype IIB/1, race 3 biovar 2) or emerging strains of phylotype IIB/4NPB were identified. Rep‐PCR data were used to assess population genetic structure. No significant clustering by geographical distance was found, suggesting regular gene flow among cropping areas (via waterways, plant or soil). However, the population from Central was significantly differentiated from the others, containing only phylotype II/seq 7 strains, with a high degree of clonality, suggesting a possible recent introduction from abroad. The South population was less aggressive and more genetically diverse, suggesting horizontal gene transfers within the population, even among isolates of different phylotypes. Phylotype I and phylotype II populations differed slightly in clonality levels, with indications of more frequent recombination events within phylotype I populations. Possible factors influencing genetic diversity and distribution within the island are discussed.     

Phylogenetic and pathogenic variability of strains of Ralstonia solanacearum causing moko disease in Colombia

Moko disease, caused by the bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum, is one of the most devastating diseases of Musa spp. in Colombia, where banana and plantain are major crops. The disease epidemiology is poorly understood and little is known about the diversity of the bacterial populations associated with this disease. This study assessed the diversity, phylogenetic relationship and pathogenicity of R. solanacearum strains associated with moko disease in Colombia. For this, the genetic diversity of 65 isolates obtained from four banana/plantain-growing regions was evaluated by using multiplex PCR and analysing the partial sequences of the mutS, rplB and egl genes. These analyses revealed that all the strains belonged to the R. solanacearum phylotype II, sequevars 4 and 6. In addition, the phylogenetic analysis assorted the strains into three subgroups, which matched the region of isolation: (i) central region (i.e. Eastern plains and Andes, IIB/4); (ii) northwest (i.e. Urabá and a few strains from Magdalena, IIB/4); and (iii) north coast (Magdalena and a few strains from Urabá, IIA/6). In addition, this evolutionary pattern was associated with pathogenicity, as 63 of the 65 isolates caused wilting of banana and plantain plants under greenhouse conditions, whilst only 32, those isolated from the central region, caused such symptoms in tomato plants. In conclusion, this study shows that banana and plantain crops in Colombia foster genetically diverse strains of R. solanacearum that belong to at least three different genetic groups, which show biogeographic and host range association.     

Phylogenetic relationships and population structure of Ralstonia solanacearum isolated from diverse origins in Taiwan

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is a destructive disease for many crops. The aim of this study was to investigate the phylogenetic relationships and genetic structure of an R. solanacearum population from diverse origins in Taiwan. All 58 tested isolates belonged to phylotype I, except the two biovar 2 isolates from potato. These belonged to phylotype IIB sequevar 1 and were identical to known potato brown rot strains, which were probably introduced. Phylotype I isolates were grouped into 10 sequevars. Sequevar 15 was predominant (34 out of 56 isolates). Its distribution covered the whole island and it was largely associated with solanaceous crops such as tomato, and with tomato field soil. A total of 14 haplotypes were identified based on a partial endoglucanase gene sequence. Parsimony network analysis revealed that haplotype A was the oldest haplotype in the local population. It encompassed all but one of the sequevar 15 isolates. Large variation in virulence on tomato was observed among the 58 isolates, and seven pathotypes were identified. Significant genetic differentiation was detected among pathotypes. Moreover, genetic differentiation was detected between biovar 3 and biovar 4 subgroups and between the strains associated with solanaceous and non‐solanaceous species, but none was detected between strains from different geographic origins. The results suggest that the phylotype I population in Taiwan is homogeneous, while mutation and local adaptation to specific ecological niches keep shaping the population.     

Resistance to Taiwanese race 1 strains of Ralstonia solanacearum in wild tomato germplasm

A total of 252 wild Solanum accessions and one population of 49 introgression lines of LA716 were screened for resistance to a race 1/biovar 4/phylotype I strain Pss186 of Ralstonia solanacearum. Most wild tomato accessions were highly susceptible. However, five accessions of S. pennellii, i.e. LA1943, LA716, LA1656, LA1732 and TL01845 were resistant to strain Pss186. These accessions were then challenged against two other race 1/phylotpye I strains Pss4 and Pss190, which were more aggressive. All the five S. pennellii accessions were susceptible to Pss4, but displayed high to moderate resistance to Pss190 with a percentage of wilted plants ranging from 0% to 60%. Pss190 is an aggressive strain that made a resistant tomato line Hawaii 7996 susceptible. Thus, the results found in this study provide evidence of the presence of strain-specific resistance. LA3501, which has an introgression segment on chromosome 6, was found to be resistant to Pss186 among the screened introgression lines. This confirms the importance of resistance trait loci on chromosome 6 that have been identified by other studies. This is the first report of S. pennellii being resistant to bacterial wilt. These new resistant sources will provide breeders with more resources to breed for stable resistance to bacterial wilt of tomato.     

福建及贵州等地烟草青枯菌系统发育分析

[目的]探寻烟草上青枯菌的系统发育.[方法]采用演化型分类框架对福建及贵州等地的62个烟草青枯病菌株进行鉴定分析.[结果]基于内切葡聚糖酶基因系统发育学的分析结果表明:所有参试菌株均归属于青枯菌亚洲分支的4个序列变种,分别为序列变种15、17、34和44;尚未发现归属于美洲或非洲分支的烟草青枯病菌株.其中序列变种15和17为优势菌系,序列变种34的菌株都来自福建省,只发现3个菌株属于序列变种44.基于avrA基因的氨基酸序列比对结果表明4个序列变种的avrA基因都属于RS1000类型.[结论]本研究表明福建及贵州等地烟草上的青枯菌存在一定的遗传分化.     

Diversity of Ralstonia solanacearum causing potato bacterial wilt in Iran and the first record of phylotype II/biovar 2T strains outside South America

The diversity of 40 strains of Ralstonia solanacearum causing bacterial wilt of potato in the major potato-growing areas of Iran was assessed. Based on rep-PCR genomic fingerprinting, strains fell into two distinct groups. The first group contained 37 of the 40 strains and the second consisted of three strains from a narrow tropical region in Iran. The three strains from the narrow tropical region were found to be phenotypically and genotypically most similar to R. solanacearum biovar 2T strains, whereas all other strains were phenotypically and genotypically identified as being R. solanacearum biovar 2/race 3. Phylogenetic analysis of endoglucanase gene sequence information of two of the strains from the tropical region revealed that they belonged to phylotype II of the R. solanacearum species complex and had 100% sequence similarity to a biovar 2T strain from potato in Peru. This is the first report of the presence of R. solanacearum phylotype II/biovar 2T in Iran and the first report of the existence of this group of R. solanacearum outside South America.     

Diversity and distribution of Ralstonia solanacearum strains in Guatemala and rare occurrence of tomato fruit infection

Fifty-nine Ralstonia solanacearum isolates from diverse crops and regions were collected and characterized to determine the distribution and diversity of this soilborne pathogen in Guatemala. Three distinct types were present: a phylotype I, sequevar 14 strain, probably originating from Asia, infecting tomatoes and aubergines at moderate elevations; a phylotype II, sequevar 6 strain of American origin causing Moko disease in lowland banana plantations; and a phylotype II, sequevar 1 (race 3 biovar 2) strain causing brown rot on potatoes, Southern wilt of Pelargonium spp. and bacterial wilt of greenhouse tomatoes at high elevations. These data on strain diversity will inform effective regional efforts to breed for wilt resistance. A sensitive enrichment method did not detect the pathogen in fruits from naturally infected commercial tomato plants in Guatemalan fields and greenhouses, although it was detected in 6% of fruits from a wilt-resistant hybrid. Low numbers of R. solanacearum cells were also infrequently detected in fruits from plants artificially inoculated in the growth chamber with either race 3 biovar 2 or a phylotype II tomato strain.     

Genetic,biochemical and pathogenic diversity of Pseudomonas syringae pv. pisi strains

Pseudomonas syringae pv. pisi is a seedborne pathogen distributed worldwide that causes pea bacterial blight. Previous characterization of this pathogen has been carried out with relatively small and/or geographically limited samples. Here, a collection of 91 strains are examined that include strains from recent outbreaks in Spain (53 strains) and from 14 other countries, and that represent all races and the new race 8, including the type race strains. This collection was characterized on the basis of 55 nutritional tests, genetic analysis (rep‐PCR, amplification of AN3 and AN7 specific markers, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST)) and pathogenicity on the differential pea cultivars to identify races. Principal component analysis and distance dendrograms confirm the existence of two genetic lineages within this pathovar, which are clearly discriminated by the AN3/AN7 markers, rep‐PCR and MLST. Strains from races 1 and 7 amplified the AN3 marker; those from races 2, 6 and 8 amplified AN7, while strains of races 3, 4 and 5 amplified either AN3 or AN7. Nevertheless, strains were not grouped by race type by any of the genetic or biochemical tests. Likewise, there was no significant association between metabolic and/or genetic profiling and the geographical origin of the strains. The Spanish collection diversity reflects the variability found in the worldwide collection, suggesting multiple introductions of the bacteria into Spain by contaminated seed lots.     

Genetic diversity of Ralstonia solanacearum species complex strains obtained from Guangxi,China and their pathogenicity on plants in the Cucurbitaceae family and other botanical families

Bacterial wilt, caused by the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC), is a destructive plant disease in Guangxi, China. However, the diversity of RSSC populations in the area is unknown. To this end, we performed an extensive bacterial wilt survey from 2015 to 2018. Using phylotype-specific multiplex PCR (Pmx-PCR) and an egl-based tree, 189 strains collected from 20 plant species were identified as R. pseudosolanacearum phylotype I, which included 14 sequevars (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 30, 34, 44, 48, 54, 70, and 71); two strains isolated from potato plants belonged to R. solanacearum phylotype II, sequevar 1. Sequevars 13, 17, and 44 were prevalent in Guangxi, and sequevar 13 dominated the RSSC sequevars of four Cucurbitaceae plants. The susceptibility of different Cucurbitaceae species to bacterial wilt and the host range of 16 representative strains were further tested. Members of the Cucurbita, Momordica, and Luffa genera were susceptible to bacterial wilt, with wilt incidence ranging from 73% to 100%. Most strains were pathogenic to solanaceous plants, mulberry, and ginger plants but not to melon crops; however, the strains from kidney bean, pepper, and Cucurbitaceae plants were highly virulent to melon crops. This is the first comprehensive report on the genetic and host range diversity of the RSSC in Guangxi and the susceptibility of different Cucurbitaceae species to bacterial wilt, which can provide valuable information for the development of bacterial wilt control strategies.     

Current classification of Ralstonia solanacearum and genetic diversity of the strains in Japan

Ralstonia solanacearum is the causal organism of bacterial wilt of more than 200 species representing 50 families of plants in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions in the world. Traditionally classified into five races based on differences in host range, R. solanacearum has also been grouped into six biovars on the basis of biochemical properties. With recent developments in molecular biology, various DNA-based analyses have been introduced and used to confirm that this binary system does not completely represent the diversity within R. solanacearum strains. Therefore, a new hierarchical classification scheme has been suggested, which defines R. solanacearum as a species complex and reorganized the concept of the species as a monophyletic cluster according to a phylogenetic analysis based on genomic sequence data. Here we discuss the current bacterial wilt situation and genetic relationships based on the recent classification system of Japanese R. solanacearum strains as well as worldwide strains. We also review the genetic, biochemical, and pathological characteristics of R. solanacearum strains, in particular, those affecting potato and Zingiberaceae plants as distinctly important pathogens in relation to continuously problematic and recent emergent diseases in Japan.     

PCR-based specific detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ralstonia solanacearum</Emphasis> race 4 strains

Two primer sets were designed based on the sequence of polymorphic bands that were derived from repetitive sequence-based polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR) fingerprinting and specifically detected in Ralstonia solanacearum race 4 strains (ginger, mioga, and curcuma isolates). One primer set (AKIF-AKIR) amplified a single band (165bp) from genomic DNA obtained from all mioga and curcuma and some ginger isolates; another set (21F-21R) amplified one band (125bp) from the other ginger isolates. These primer sets did not amplify the bands from genomic DNA of other R. solanacearum strains or of other related bacteria. PCR detection limit for the pathogen was 2 × 10²cfu.The nucleotide sequence data reported are available in the DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank databases under accession numbers AB118756 and AB118757     

Detection and Visualization of the Major Acidic Exopolysaccharide of Ralstonia solanacearum and its Role in Tomato Root Infection and Vascular Colonization

Exopolysaccharides play an important role in the pathogenicity of Ralstonia solanacearum. We compared in vitro and in planta exopolysaccharide production of the pathogenic strain AW1 with that of three related mutant strains impaired in both their exopolysaccharide production and aggressiveness on tomato. The distinction between the two hexosamine-rich exopolysaccharides, namely the N-acetyl-glucosaminorhamnan and the major N-acetyl-galactosamine-containing acidic polymer was emphasized. The major acidic polymer was identified specifically by electron microscopy using glutaraldehyde/ruthenium red/uranyl acetate staining, by immunofluorescence using specific monoclonal antibodies and correlated to an appropriate biochemical analysis. The two mutant strains AW1-1 and AW-19A were totally devoid of any production of the major exopolysaccharide in vitro or in planta whatever the technique used. Infection and vascular colonization of tomato roots by the pathogenic strain were also compared to those of the mutant strains by light microscopy. Pathogenicity on tomato was assessed by root infection without any artificial injury. Light microscopy showed that the two mutant strains AW1-1 and AW-19A were poorly infective and unable to invade xylem vessels, while they induced defence mechanisms in root tissues and appeared aggregated or degenerated within cortical infection pockets. These two mutant strains were non-pathogenic or weakly aggressive, respectively. In contrast, the pathogenic strain AW1 and the hypoaggressive AW1-41 strains, which produce large amounts of the major acidic exopolysaccharide in planta, were both infective and invasive, and tomato root tissues exhibited only limited defence reactions. Thus, the major acidic exopolysaccharide produced by Ralstonia solanacearum is involved in root infection and vascular colonization, though its precise role is still unknown.     

烟草青枯病菌拮抗细菌的筛选、鉴定和抑菌机制研究

青枯雷尔氏菌Ralstonia solanacearum造成的烟草青枯病是烟草主要毁灭性病害之一.本研究采用牛津杯法从运城盐湖湖岸土壤中筛选获得一株对烟草青枯病菌具有较好拮抗效果的菌株FY-C;并进一步分析了菌株FY-C的抑菌谱、对青枯病菌的潜在生防效果.结果 显示,经菌株FY-C无菌滤液处理24 h后的青枯病菌细胞壁...     

Validation and use of a qPCR protocol to quantify the spread of Ralstonia solanacearum in susceptible and resistant eucalypt plants

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is a serious disease of eucalypt in humid and high temperature areas worldwide. Spreading of the bacterium in the field or to other nurseries occurs mainly by symptomless infected plant material. The use of pathogen-free propagating material as well as planting of resistant genotypes are currently the only strategies used for disease control. Therefore, a reliable and sensitive method for detection of low titres of R. solanacearum in infected plant tissue is essential for the success of management programmes. In this work, we adapted an efficient intercalating dye-based real-time PCR protocol to detect the bacterium in symptomless eucalypt plants as well as to investigate its movement in eucalypt clones CLR172 and CLR371, which exhibit resistant and susceptible phenotypes, respectively. We found that the bacterium translocates acropetally and basipetally in inoculated but symptomless cuttings of the resistant clone, as in cuttings of the susceptible clone displaying symptoms. Nevertheless, a smaller concentration of bacterial DNA was detected in tissues of the resistant clone. Mature biofilms occluding the xylem vessels were present in the susceptible clone whereas only single cells or small aggregates were observed in the resistant clone. This work contributes to improve our knowledge of the colonization process of R. solanacearum in eucalypt clones with different levels of susceptibility and to understand how the defence mechanisms against bacterial wilt in Eucalyptus work. Our findings could aid in the selection of the most resistant eucalypt clones to be used in wilt disease management programmes.     

Molecular identification of some African strains of Ralstonia solanacearum from eucalypt and potato

Ralstonia solanacearum is a known bacterial pathogen of eucalypt and potato plants in Africa. A survey was undertaken to detect this pathogen in eucalypt plantations in South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda. Numerous bacterial strains were isolated from trees with symptoms typical of bacterial wilt, but only seven were positively identified as R. solanacearum. A polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique, based on the hrp (hypersensitive response and pathogenicity) gene region was used to determine and group the biovars of these R. solanacearum strains. The eucalypt isolates and one potato isolate formed a biovar 3 cluster, whereas the two other potato isolates formed a cluster that corresponded to biovar 2. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis confirmed these clusters. Therefore, PCR-RFLP can be used as a reliable diagnostic technique to enable researchers to rapidly identify the pathogen.     

青枯雷尔氏菌无致病力突变菌株的构建及其防效评价模型分析

 利用青枯雷尔氏菌(Ralstonia solanacearum)无致病力菌株防治番茄青枯病具有很好的应用潜力。作者通过分离筛选自然弱毒株、⁶⁰Co辐射诱变和EZ-Tn5插入诱变,分别获得3、12和40株青枯雷尔氏菌无致病力突变菌株。经盆栽番茄苗致病性检测,15 d后均未发病,证实均为无致病力青枯雷尔氏菌。进一步对番茄青枯病的防治试验表明,从番茄青枯病发病田块分离的无致病力突变菌株FJAT1458的防治效果最好,防效达100%。该菌株能定殖番茄植株根系土壤、根部和茎部,定殖数量均表现为“先增后减”的趋势,并且接种浓度越大、苗龄越小,定殖数量越大。从构建的防效模型可以看出,不同接种浓度条件下,植株发病率随时间变化符合的回归方程不同,相关系数R值也不同,接种浓度越大,R值越小。本研究获得的青枯雷尔氏菌无致病力突变菌株FJAT1458对番茄青枯病具有很好的防病效果。     

Identification and use of a wild plant with antimicrobial activity against Ralstonia solanacearum, the cause of bacterial wilt of potato

Fresh aerial tissue and roots of 14 wild plants in Okinawa prefecture were investigated for their antimicrobial activity against Ralstonia solanacearum , which causes bacterial wilt of potato. A 70% aqueous ethanol extract of fresh aerial tissue of Geranium carolinianum L. showed strong antimicrobial activity against R. solanacearum . This extract also showed antimicrobial activity against the pathogens causing common scab of potato and soil rot of sweet potato. The antimicrobial substance could be extracted with hot water, and was effective against R. solanacearum in soil. In the field test, a treatment combining incorporation of dried aerial tissue into the soil and solarization was highly effective for control of bacterial wilt of potato. These findings suggest that G. carolinianum L. could be used as a biological agent for the control of bacterial wilt of potato.