First Report of Xanthomonas cucurbitae Causing Bacterial Leaf Spot of Pumpkin on Réunion Island

Genome Sequencing and Functional Characterization of Xanthomonas cucurbitae, the Causal Agent of Bacterial Spot Disease of Cucurbits

Bacterial leaf spot disease caused by Xanthomonas cucurbitae has severely affected the pumpkin industries in the Midwestern region of United States, with the bacteria mainly infecting pumpkin leaves and fruits, and leading to significant yield losses. In this study, we utilized genomics and genetics approaches to elucidate X. cucurbitae molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis during interaction with its host. We generated the first reference-quality whole-genome sequence of the X. cucurbitae type isolate and compared with other Xanthomonas species, X. cucurbitae has a smaller genome size with fewer virulence-related genes. RNA-seq analysis of X. cucurbitae under plant-mimicking media conditions showed altered transcriptional responses, with upregulation of virulence genes and downregulation of cellular homeostasis genes. Additionally, characterization of key virulence genes using gene deletion methods revealed that both type II enzymes and type III effectors are necessary for X. cucurbitae to cause infection in the pumpkin host.

Characteristics of Xanthomonas cucurbitae Isolates from Pumpkins and Survival of the Bacterium in Pumpkin Seeds

This study was conducted to determine characteristics of Xanthomonas cucurbitae, the causal agent of bacterial spot of pumpkin, and survival of the bacterium in pumpkin seeds. Fourteen X. cucurbitae isolates from the north central region of the United States, along with the X. cucurbitae strain 23378 from the American Type Culture Collection, were included in this study. The range of minimum, optimum, and maximum temperatures for colony development of X. cucurbitae were 4 to 6°C, 24 to 30°C, and 34 to 36°C, respectively. Optimum pH for colony development ranged from 6.5 to 8.0. Leaves of 3-week-old pumpkins 'Howden' and 'Dickinson' were inoculated with X. cucurbitae isolates (10⁸ CFU/ml). There was a significant difference in the postinoculation periods for appearance of bacterial lesions on the leaves among the isolates; however, there was no significant difference in diameters of the lesions on each of the pumpkin cultivar 7 days after inoculation. Four of the isolates caused significantly larger lesions on 'Dickinson' leaves than 'Howden' leaves. Naturally infected 'Howden' pumpkin and inoculated 'Dickinson' pumpkin seeds with X. cucurbitae were stored at 4 and 22°C. X. cucurbitae was isolated from both naturally infected and inoculated seeds 24 months after storage at both 4 and 22°C, and the isolated bacteria were pathogenic.

Occurrence of Bacterial Spot on Pumpkin and Squash Fruit in the North Central Region of the United States and Bacteria Associated with the Spots

Since 2006, a bacterial spot disease has been widely observed on pumpkin and squash fruit in the North Central region (NCR) of the United States. Surveys were conducted during 2011 to 2013 to determine the occurrence of the disease on pumpkin and winter squash in the NCR. In each state, at least five commercial pumpkin and squash fields were visited each year within 3 weeks of harvest, and 60 fruit were inspected in each field. In nine states surveyed, 217 of 245 fields had fruit with bacterial spot. The average incidence of the symptomatic fruit in all pumpkin fields surveyed was 27.1, 30.3, and 25.3% in 2011, 2012, and 2013, respectively. The average incidence of fruit with bacterial spot in all squash fields surveyed was 20.2% in 2012 and 16.9% in 2013. The incidence of symptomatic fruit was more than 90% in some fields. Xanthomonas cucurbitae and non-X. cucurbitae bacteria were isolated from all of the symptomatic fruit collected. X. cucurbitae was identified based on colony characteristics on yeast extract-dextrose-CaCO₃ agar, a polymerase chain reaction test using primers RST2 and RST3, and pathogenicity on pumpkin leaves. All X. cucurbitae isolates tested were pathogenic on 'Howden' pumpkin. In total, 312 non-X. cucurbitae isolates were identified into 10 genera based on the restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. None of the non-X. cucurbitae isolates was pathogenic on Howden. In vitro studies of interactions between non-X. cucurbitae and X. cucurbitae showed that Pantoea isolates had antagonistic activity against X. cucurbitae. Identified Pantoea agglomerans showed the highest antagonistic activity against X. cucurbitae.