Genetic Diversity and Pathogenicity of Ralstonia solanacearum Strains Entering North America

• Published in: Acta horticulturae no. 914; pp. 53 - 56
• Main Authors: Bocsanczy, A.a.M, Norman, D.J, Achenbach, U, Mangravita-Novo, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Society for Horticultural Science 01.01.2011
• Subjects: crop production; crops; genetic variation; Geranium; pathogenicity; potatoes; proteins; Ralstonia solanacearum; temperate zones; temperature; tomatoes; weather; wilting; United States
• ISSN: 0567-7572
• DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2011.914.6

R. solanacearum strain UW551, classified as R3B2 can infect tomato and potato plants at low temperatures. R3B2 are not known to be established in the US, however, in our study we identified several R3B2 entering North America in geranium plants. We selected several strains frequently entering the United States and some considered endemic to study their pathogenicity at lower temperatures. Our data showed that strains of R1B1 that have entered North America are able to infect and cause wilt of tomato plants under cool weather conditions. Thus the genetic determinant of pathogenicity al low temperatures might be only partially linked to the race-biovar classification. We identified candidate proteins that might have functions related with the pathogenicity at low temperatures by comparing the proteomics profile of different strains of R. solanacearum, including R3B2, and R1B1 strains that are able, or not, to infect tomatoes at 18°C. The results might help identify new strains able to survive low temperatures and that potentially could pose a threat to production of tomato and potato crops in temperate regions.