Emerging Plant Pathogenic Bacteria and Global Warming

Seed-born Burkholderia glumae Infects Rice Seedling and Maintains Bacterial Population during Vegetative and Reproductive Growth Stage

“…Burkholderia glumae is one of the most limiting pathogens currently present in rice-producing countries, including Colombia, particularly in the climate-warming scenario, since the presence of high temperatures and humidity favor the development of the disease ( Shaad, 2008 ). Despite the importance of the disease worldwide, few works have been designed to follow the infection of B. glumae , from early stages of the proposed reservoirs of plant infection, through vegetative and maturity growth stages of the plant ( Hikichi, 1993 ; Li et al, 2016 ).…”

“…Burkholderia glumae was first reported in Japan ( Kurita and Tabei, 1967 ; Uematsu et al, 1976 ), however, it is currently distributed in most rice producing countries including Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, United States, Panama, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Colombia ( Devescovi et al, 2007 ; Fory et al, 2014 ; Ham et al, 2011 ; Rush, 1998; Shahjahan et al, 2000; Zhu et al, 2008 ). Unfortunately, the incidence of B. glumae , has increased in recent years due to variables such as climate change ( Schaad, 2008 ), the high genetic diversity of the species ( Karki et al, 2012 ; Nandakumar et al, 2009 ; Seo et al, 2015 ) and a lack of proper management and control strategies ( Cui et al, 2016 ). Despite the importance of the disease, there is still a lack of knowledge of the life cycle of the bacteria, associated with its mechanism of entry to the plant, and the biological events that happen after such entry ( Ham et al, 2011 ).…”

Burkholderia glumae: next major pathogen of rice?

“…Current global climate change may cause an increase in new or previously negligible diseases. Indeed, numerous plant pathogens with high optimal temperatures have emerged or become prevalent worldwide (Schaad, 2008). In this sense, the rice disease caused by B. glumae should be recognized as a potential threat to the world's rice production; increasing reports of this disease from many rice‐growing countries strongly support this notion.…”

Preserving US microbe collections sparks future discoveries

“…When the department was disbanded in 1994, the collection was sent to USDA-ARS in Beltsville (Milton Schroth, personal communication). One of the last publications by the recipient was in 2008, ironically a review of the importance of understanding emerging bacterial plant pathogens in the era of climate change (Schaad 2008). Current USDA employees were unable to locate the collection, except for a handful of strains that were deposited in the NRRL collection at USDA-ARS in Peoria, IL (Bob Davis and Todd Ward, personal communication).…”