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Aziz D, Ahad I, Shah ZA, Khan ZH, Dar EA, Alie BA, Lone AH, Ganie MA, Alkeridis LA, Al-Shuraym LA, Sayed S, Shukry M. Morphomolecular characterization of invasive fruit borer infesting apple. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11972. [PMID: 38796615 PMCID: PMC11127992 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61585-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Apple, a vital fruit crop worldwide and a major crop grown in northern parts of India, acts as a backbone for the survival and livelihood of the farming community. However, it is prone to severe damage from insect pests and diseases. In the past few years, due to erratic weather patterns, there has been an alarmingly increased infestation of different insect pests, both invasive and non-invasive, resulting in substantial economic losses to this industry. One similar case was seen in the Himalayan region of India, where the apple crop in Karewas was heavily damaged by some invasive fruit borer, feeding on pulp and making galleries to reach the seed locules, thereby destroying the seed material. To ascertain the true identity of this pest, a study based on morpho-molecular characterization of this pest was carried out in the Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura, SKUAST Kashmir, India, during the years 2021 and 2022. The invasive fruit samples were collected from apple orchards at different locations (experimental sites) in North India by installing delta sticky traps @ 5 traps/ha for moth collection. The fruit-boring larvae and pupa were also collected and reared in confined chambers of the laboratory with controlled temperature and humidity. All the laboratory investigations were conducted at the Division of Entomology, FoA, Wadura, SKUAST Kashmir. During the investigation, it was confirmed that the invasive borer is a codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.), a member of the family Tortricidae, order Lepidoptera, which was earlier having quarantine importance in India, as it was only present in the Ladakh region of India. From the phylogenetic analysis of sample sequences, the species of codling moth present at all experimental sites was more identical to the codling moth sequence from Leh (the northernmost arid region), India. Further, the study of life cycle and voltinism revealed that codling moth completes three generations per year in Kashmir, with a single cycle lasting up to 2.5 months. However, the timing of various generations varies, depending on prevailing weather conditions at specific locations and times. The number of generations completed by codling moth in Kashmir conditions during apple growing season was three full and a half overwintering generations. The study of the life cycle of this important pest was necessary to know the weak link for its effective management and to prevent the economic loss in apple fruit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danishta Aziz
- Division of Entomology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar, 190025, India
| | - Ishtiyaq Ahad
- Division of Entomology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar, 190025, India
| | - Zahoor Ahmad Shah
- Advanced Research Station for Saffron and Seed Spices, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar, 190025, India.
| | - Zakir Hussain Khan
- Division of Entomology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar, 190025, India
| | - Eajaz Ahmad Dar
- Krishi Vigyan Kendra Ganderbal, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar, 190025, India.
| | - Bashir Ahmad Alie
- Advanced Research Station for Saffron and Seed Spices, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar, 190025, India
| | - Aabid Hussain Lone
- Mountain Research Centre for Field Crops, Khudwani, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar, 190025, India
| | - Mumtaz Ahmad Ganie
- Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar, 190025, India
| | - Lamya Ahmed Alkeridis
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, 11671, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Laila A Al-Shuraym
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, 11671, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Samy Sayed
- Department of Economic Entomology and Pesticides, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt
- Department of Science and Technology, University College‑Ranyah, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, 21944, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mustafa Shukry
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, 33516, Egypt.
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He L, Huang R, Chen H, Zhao L, Zhang Z. Discovery and characterization of a novel pathogen Erwinia pyri sp. nov. associated with pear dieback: taxonomic insights and genomic analysis. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1365685. [PMID: 38784818 PMCID: PMC11111954 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1365685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In 2022, a novel disease similar to pear fire blight was found in a pear orchard in Zhangye City, Gansu Province, China. The disease mainly damages the branches, leaves, and fruits of the plant. To identify the pathogen, tissue isolation and pathogenicity testing (inoculating the potential pathogen on healthy plant tissues) were conducted. Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis encompassing the pathogen's morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics and whole-genome sequencing was conducted. The results showed that among the eight isolates, the symptoms on the detached leaves and fruits inoculated with isolate DE2 were identical to those observed in the field. Verifying Koch's postulates confirmed that DE2 was the pathogenic bacterium that causes the disease. Based on a 16S rRNA phylogenetic tree, isolate DE2 belongs to the genus Erwinia. Biolog and API 20E results also indicated that isolate DE2 is an undescribed species of Erwinia. Isolate DE2 was negative for oxidase. Subsequently, the complete genome sequence of isolate DE2 was determined and compared to the complete genome sequences of 29 other Erwinia species based on digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) analyses. The ANI and dDDH values between strain DE2 and Erwinia species were both below the species thresholds (ANI < 95-96%, dDDH<70%), suggesting that isolate DE2 is a new species of Erwinia. We will temporarily name strain DE2 as Erwinia pyri sp. nov. There were 548 predicted virulence factors in the genome of strain DE2, comprising 534 on the chromosome and 5 in the plasmids. The whole genome sequence of strain DE2 has been submitted to the NCBI database (ASM3075845v1) with accession number GCA_030758455.1. The strain DE2 has been preserved at the China Center for Type Culture Collection (CCTCC) under the deposit number CCTCC AB 2024080. This study represents the initial report of a potentially new bacterial species in the genus Erwinia that causes a novel pear dieback disease. The findings provide a valuable strain resource for the study of the genus Erwinia and establish a robust theoretical foundation for the prevention and control of emerging pear dieback diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Zhenfen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem, Ministry of Education, Sino-U.S. Centers for Grazing Land Ecosystem Sustainability, Ministry of Science and Technology, Pratacultural College, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
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Han J, Dong Z, Ji W, Lv W, Luo M, Fu B. From predator to protector: Myxococcus fulvus WCH05 emerges as a potent biocontrol agent for fire blight. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1378288. [PMID: 38650871 PMCID: PMC11033317 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1378288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Fire blight, caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Erwinia amylovora, poses a substantial threat to pome fruit production worldwide. Despite existing control strategies, a pressing need remains for sustainable and environmentally friendly fire blight management. Myxobacteria, renowned for their predatory behavior and potent enzymes, emerge as a groundbreaking biocontrol approach with significant potential. Here, we report the biocontrol potential of a novel Myxococcus fulvus WCH05, against E. amylovora. Using various in vitro and planta assays, we demonstrated the multifaceted biocontrol abilities of strain WCH05. In plate predation assays, strain WCH05 exhibited not only strong predation against E. amylovora but also broad-spectrum activities against other plant pathogenic bacteria. Pre-treatment with strain WCH05 significantly decreased pear blossom blight incidence in detached inflorescence assays, achieving a controlled efficacy of 76.02% that rivaled the antibiotic streptomycin (79.79%). In greenhouse trials, strain WCH05 effectively reduced the wilting rate and disease index in young pear seedlings, exhibiting both protective (73.68%) and curative (68.66%) control. Further investigation revealed that the biocontrol activity of strain WCH05 relies on both direct contact and extracellular enzyme secretion. While cell extracts lacked inhibitory activity, ammonium sulfate-precipitated secreted proteins displayed potent lytic activity against E. amylovora. Substrate spectrum analysis identified peptidases, lipases, and glycosidases among the secreted enzymes, suggesting their potential roles in pathogen degradation and biocontrol efficacy. This study presents the first evidence of Myxococcus fulvus WCH05 as a biocontrol agent against fire blight. Its potent predatory abilities and enzymatic arsenal highlight its potential for sustainable disease management in pome fruit production. Future research will focus on identifying and characterizing specific lytic enzymes and optimizing strain WCH05 application strategies for field efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Han
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agronomy, Xinjiang Agriculture University/Key Laboratory of the Pest Monitoring and Safety Control of Crops and Forests of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Invasive Alien Species in Agriculture and Forestry of the North-western Desert Oasis (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Urumqi, China
| | - Zhiming Dong
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agronomy, Xinjiang Agriculture University/Key Laboratory of the Pest Monitoring and Safety Control of Crops and Forests of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Invasive Alien Species in Agriculture and Forestry of the North-western Desert Oasis (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Urumqi, China
| | - Wenbo Ji
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agronomy, Xinjiang Agriculture University/Key Laboratory of the Pest Monitoring and Safety Control of Crops and Forests of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Invasive Alien Species in Agriculture and Forestry of the North-western Desert Oasis (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Urumqi, China
| | - Wen Lv
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agronomy, Xinjiang Agriculture University/Key Laboratory of the Pest Monitoring and Safety Control of Crops and Forests of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Invasive Alien Species in Agriculture and Forestry of the North-western Desert Oasis (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Urumqi, China
| | - Ming Luo
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agronomy, Xinjiang Agriculture University/Key Laboratory of the Pest Monitoring and Safety Control of Crops and Forests of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Invasive Alien Species in Agriculture and Forestry of the North-western Desert Oasis (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Urumqi, China
| | - Benzhong Fu
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agronomy, Xinjiang Agriculture University/Key Laboratory of the Pest Monitoring and Safety Control of Crops and Forests of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Invasive Alien Species in Agriculture and Forestry of the North-western Desert Oasis (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Urumqi, China
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Xi H, Fu B, Sheng Q, Luo M, Sun L. Isolation and Characterization of a Lytic Bacteriophage RH-42-1 of Erwinia amylovora from Orchard Soil in China. Viruses 2024; 16:509. [PMID: 38675852 PMCID: PMC11054837 DOI: 10.3390/v16040509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Fire blight, caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora, is a major threat to pear production worldwide. Bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, are a promising alternative to antibiotics for controlling fire blight. In this study, we isolated a novel bacteriophage, RH-42-1, from Xinjiang, China. We characterized its biological properties, including host range, plaque morphology, infection dynamics, stability, and sensitivity to various chemicals. RH-42-1 infected several E. amylovora strains but not all. It produced clear, uniform plaques and exhibited optimal infectivity at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 1, reaching a high titer of 9.6 × 109 plaque-forming units (PFU)/mL. The bacteriophage had a short latent period (10 min), a burst size of 207 PFU/cell, and followed a sigmoidal one-step growth curve. It was stable at temperatures up to 60 °C but declined rapidly at higher temperatures. RH-42-1 remained viable within a pH range of 5 to 9 and was sensitive to extreme pH values. The bacteriophage demonstrates sustained activity upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation for 60 min, albeit with a marginal reduction. In our assays, it exhibited a certain level of resistance to 5% chloroform (CHCl3), 5% isopropanol (C3H8O), and 3% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which had little effect on its activity, whereas it showed sensitivity to 75% ethanol (C2H5OH). Electron microscopy revealed that RH-42-1 has a tadpole-shaped morphology. Its genome size is 14,942 bp with a GC content of 48.19%. Based on these characteristics, RH-42-1 was identified as a member of the Tectiviridae family, Alphatectivirus genus. This is the first report of a bacteriophage in this genus with activity against E. amylovora.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haishen Xi
- The Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agronomy at Xinjiang Agricultural University/Key Laboratory of Detection and Control of Agricultural and Forest Pests, Urumqi 830052, China; (H.X.); (B.F.)
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory for Pests and Diseases Control of Northwest Arid Oasis Agricultural Foreign Invasion Species, Urumqi 830052, China
| | - Benzhong Fu
- The Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agronomy at Xinjiang Agricultural University/Key Laboratory of Detection and Control of Agricultural and Forest Pests, Urumqi 830052, China; (H.X.); (B.F.)
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory for Pests and Diseases Control of Northwest Arid Oasis Agricultural Foreign Invasion Species, Urumqi 830052, China
| | - Qiang Sheng
- Xinjiang Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Korla 841003, China;
| | - Ming Luo
- The Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agronomy at Xinjiang Agricultural University/Key Laboratory of Detection and Control of Agricultural and Forest Pests, Urumqi 830052, China; (H.X.); (B.F.)
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory for Pests and Diseases Control of Northwest Arid Oasis Agricultural Foreign Invasion Species, Urumqi 830052, China
| | - Liying Sun
- The Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
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Zeng Q, Slack S, Amine Hassani M. Pathogen Spotlight on Erwinia amylovora-Recent Advances in Genomics, Resistance Breeding, and Disease Management. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2023; 113:2140-2142. [PMID: 38147406 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-11-23-0439-sa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Quan Zeng
- Department of Plant Pathology and Ecology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06511
| | - Suzanne Slack
- Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
| | - M Amine Hassani
- Department of Plant Pathology and Ecology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06511
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