The Epidemiology and Management of Seedborne Bacterial Diseases

Gitaitis, R. D.; Walcott, R. R.

doi:10.1146/annurev.phyto.45.062806.094321

Cited by 148 publications

(118 citation statements)

References 117 publications

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“…Seed accounts for the movement of plant pathogens across vast distances and may even be responsible for the emergence of diseases in new areas. Seed-borne bacterial pathogens are of particular concern because strategies for the management of bacterial diseases are limited, and none are efficient (20). Moreover, seeds harbor a diverse microbial community, including human pathogens such as Salmonella enterica serovars and Escherichia coli O157:H7 (24,37).…”

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confidence: 99%

Transmission of Plant-Pathogenic Bacteria by Nonhost Seeds without Induction of an Associated Defense Reaction at Emergence

Darrasse

Darsonval

Boureau

et al. 2010

Appl Environ Microbiol

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An understanding of the mechanisms involved in the different steps of bacterial disease epidemiology is essential to develop new control strategies. Seeds are the passive carriers of a diversified microbial cohort likely to affect seedling physiology. Among seed-borne plant-pathogenic bacteria, seed carriage in compatible situations is well evidenced. The aims of our work are to determine the efficiency of pathogen transmission to seeds of a nonhost plant and to evaluate bacterial and plant behaviors at emergence. Bacterial transmission from flowers to seeds and from seeds to seedlings was measured for Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris in incompatible interactions with bean. Transmissions from seeds to seedlings were compared for X. campestris pv. campestris, for Xanthomonas citri pv. phaseoli var. fuscans in compatible interactions with bean, and for Escherichia coli, a human pathogen, in null interactions with bean. The induction of defense responses was monitored by using reverse transcription and quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) of genes representing the main signaling pathways and assaying defense-related enzymatic activities. Flower inoculations resulted in a high level of bean seed contamination by X. campestris pv. campestris, which transmitted efficiently to seedlings. Whatever the type of interaction tested, dynamics of bacterial population sizes were similar on seedlings, and no defense responses were induced evidencing bacterial colonization of seedlings without any associated defense response induction. Bacteria associated with the spermosphere multiply in this rich environment, suggesting that the colonization of seedlings relies mostly on commensalism. The transmission of plantpathogenic bacteria to and by nonhost seeds suggests a probable role of seeds of nonhost plants as an inoculum source.

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confidence: 99%

Transmission of Plant-Pathogenic Bacteria by Nonhost Seeds without Induction of an Associated Defense Reaction at Emergence

Darrasse

Darsonval

Boureau

et al. 2010

Appl Environ Microbiol

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“…There is anecdotal evidence that P. cannabina pv. alisalensis is seed borne, and closely related pathogens are known to be seed borne (14). Antigen and PCR detection technologies generally do not discriminate between viable and dead cells, which limits their utility.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of an Engineered Bioluminescent Reporter Phage for Detection of Bacterial Blight of Crucifers

Schofield

Bull

Rubio

et al. 2012

Appl Environ Microbiol

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ABSTRACTBacterial blight, caused by the phytopathogenPseudomonas cannabinapv.alisalensis, is an emerging disease afflicting important members of theBrassicaceaefamily. The disease is often misdiagnosed as pepper spot, a much less severe disease caused by the related pathogenPseudomonas syringaepv.maculicola. We have developed a phage-based diagnostic that can both identify and detect the causative agent of bacterial blight and differentiate the two pathogens. A recombinant “light”-tagged reporter phage was generated by integrating bacterialluxABgenes encoding luciferase into the genome ofP. cannabinapv.alisalensisphage PBSPCA1. The PBSPCA1::luxABreporter phage is viable and stable and retains properties similar to those of the wild-type phage. PBSPCA1::luxABrapidly and sensitively detectsP. cannabinapv.alisalensisby conferring a bioluminescent signal response to cultured cells. Detection is dependent on cell viability. Other bacterial pathogens ofBrassicaspecies such asP. syringaepv.maculicola,Pseudomonas marginalis,Pectobacterium carotovorum,Xanthomonas campestrispv.campestris, andX. campestrispv.raphanieither do not produce a response or produce significantly attenuated signals with the reporter phage. Importantly, the reporter phage detectsP. cannabinapv.alisalensison diseased plant specimens, indicating its potential for disease diagnosis.

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“…Research seems to have dwindled on the previous two problems, but ongoing efforts seek improved detection methods for bacteria on seeds and cuttings (Gitaitis and Walcott, 2007). The commercial and legal stakes are high.…”

Section: Pathogen Detectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Underexplored Niches in Research on Plant Pathogenic Bacteria

2009

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SUMMARYDespite rapid advances on certain aspects of plant pathogenic bacteria, many economically important pathosystems are largely unexplored and biologically relevant life stages of even familiar systems remain poorly understood. We know remarkably little about end-stage disease, latent infections, survival away from the host, interactions among multiple microbes in a plant, and the effects of quantitative virulence factors. While no thoughtful researcher would dispute the effectiveness of reductionist experiments, we propose that this approach be combined with a broader perspective that includes the ecology, histopathology, and community population biology of phytopathogenic bacteria. We offer examples of exciting recent discoveries resulting from this natural history-based approach. In particular, in situ studies using biologically realistic inoculation followed by analyses with microscopy, gene expression profiling, community analyses, or application of key computational tools can offer new insights into old questions. Research that combines cutting-edge tools with a biological perspective is especially lacking on high-impact diseases of subsistence crops. Understanding the biology underlying important practical issues such as copper resistance, eradication from seed and cuttings, and rapid, sensitive detection could be of significant utility. Overall, we endorse a broader biological approach to research on plant pathogenic bacteria. CHOICES, CHOICESIn response to significant advances in plant bacteriology, researchers can focus in to more deeply understand the discovery, or they can change the subject and turn to important questions that remain poorly understood. This article encourages the second approach by pointing out some underexplored but important aspects of plant pathogenic bacteria. We first discuss considerations that may aid selection of research topics, and then suggest a necessarily incomplete set of specific questions and approaches that promise fresh and productive research.Ideally, our research programs would be designed to reveal fundamental biology of high-impact plant pathogens, leading to useful disease management strategies. All too often our planning instead brings us to the intersection of the feasible, the fundable, and the familiar-hardly a path to novelty. We suggest that those seeking new directions should instead choose a study system that satisfies at least two of the criteria listed in Table I. In particular, research is urgently needed on destructive diseases of key tropical subsistence crops, such as Xanthomonas wilt of banana (Musa spp.) and bacterial blight of cassava (Manihot esculenta). A more widespread focus on research to reduce crop losses offers the additional benefit of increasing stakeholder support for plant bacteriology funding. LOOK BACK TO MOVE FORWARDNew knowledge and methods create opportunities for progress on old questions, and indeed there are few truly new questions. It is humbling to discover that our scientific predecessors thought deeply and usefully ...

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The Epidemiology and Management of Seedborne Bacterial Diseases

Cited by 148 publications

References 117 publications

Transmission of Plant-Pathogenic Bacteria by Nonhost Seeds without Induction of an Associated Defense Reaction at Emergence

Transmission of Plant-Pathogenic Bacteria by Nonhost Seeds without Induction of an Associated Defense Reaction at Emergence

Development of an Engineered Bioluminescent Reporter Phage for Detection of Bacterial Blight of Crucifers

Underexplored Niches in Research on Plant Pathogenic Bacteria

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