Biofilm formation in Xanthomonas genus

Abstract

Xanthomonas is a large genus of bacteria that encompasses species associated with plants that cause serious losses in significant economic crops. Among the plant diseases due to Xanthomonas, two are considered specially relevant in fruit trees, Xanthomonas citri subsp citri (Xcc), the causal agent of citrus bacterial canker (CBC) and Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (Xap) that produces bacterial spot of stone fruits and almond (BSF). CBC is considered one of the major threat for citriculture and it is endemic in many citrus production zones, even though, Xcc is not present in other areas such as the Mediterranean basin or California in USA, where these bacteria are regulated as quarantinable. BSF is worldwide distributed with a presence in most Prunus-growing regions, however Xap is still a quarantine organism in some zones like the European Union.

This presentation shows a comparison, related to biofilm formation, of two particular Xanthomonas models that have in common their availability to infect woody plants, in both cases fruit trees, producing similar symptoms but differing in their host species and environmental conditions.