Tracking the Spread of Fire Blight and Finding Helpful Microbes to Stop It

Jenn Hoskins
8th August, 2024

Tracking the Spread of Fire Blight and Finding Helpful Microbes to Stop It

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study assessed the spread of fire blight in the Turkestan, Zhambyl, and Almaty regions of Kazakhstan, marking the first detection on various fruit crops like plum, peach, and quince
  • Researchers identified potent Pseudomonas isolates that showed strong antagonistic activity against the fire blight pathogen, Erwinia amylovora
  • These Pseudomonas isolates could potentially be developed into a new biological product for controlling fire blight, tailored to Kazakhstan's local conditions
Fire blight is a destructive bacterial disease affecting fruit trees, notably apple and pear trees, caused by the pathogen Erwinia amylovora. The disease can devastate orchards, leading to significant agricultural losses. Addressing this issue, a recent study conducted by the Research and Production Center of Microbiology and Virology has provided critical insights into the spread and management of fire blight in Kazakhstan[1]. The study aimed to assess the phytosanitary status of garden areas in the Turkestan, Zhambyl, and Almaty regions of Kazakhstan, determine the extent of fire blight spread, and isolate and identify the pathogen. Researchers collected 274 plant samples from various fruit crops, including plum, peach, cherry plum, quince, and wild apricots, marking the first detection of fire blight on these crops in the region. The pathogen was identified using hypersensitivity, pathogenicity tests, and a specialized technique known as fluorescent simplification-based specific hybridization polymerase chain reaction (FLASH-PCR). Of the 156 isolates from apple tree samples, 21 showed varying degrees of inhibition against E. amylovora in vitro. Notably, isolates 16.2 and 19.2 exhibited the highest antagonistic activity, with inhibition zones of 52.2 ± 2.58 mm and 45.6 ± 0.55 mm, respectively. Further genetic analysis revealed that these potent isolates belonged to the Pseudomonas genus. The study suggests that these isolates could potentially be developed into a new biological product for controlling fire blight, adapted to the local conditions of Kazakhstan. This research builds on earlier findings in the field of antimicrobial agents and biological control. Previous studies have explored various methods of antimicrobial susceptibility testing, including disk-diffusion, well diffusion, and broth or agar dilution, as well as more advanced techniques like flow cytofluorometric and bioluminescent methods[2]. These methods help in understanding the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents and their impact on microorganisms. The current study's use of FLASH-PCR adds a layer of specificity and sensitivity to the identification process, ensuring accurate detection of E. amylovora. Additionally, the study aligns with earlier research on the microbial ecology of apple blossoms. For instance, a study conducted in Washington State and Oregon found diverse microbial populations on apple blossoms, including bacteria and yeasts, some of which showed potential as biocontrol agents against E. amylovora[3]. The identification of Pseudomonas spp. in both studies underscores the potential of this genus in biological control strategies. Moreover, the antagonistic activity of microbial isolates against E. amylovora has been previously documented. For example, Lactobacillus plantarum strain 17M was shown to inhibit the growth of E. amylovora significantly, with its metabolites like acetic acid and lactic acid contributing to this effect[4]. The current study's identification of Pseudomonas isolates with high antagonistic activity further supports the potential of using beneficial microbes in combating fire blight. In summary, this recent study by the Research and Production Center of Microbiology and Virology provides valuable data on the spread and management of fire blight in Kazakhstan. By identifying and characterizing potent Pseudomonas isolates, the research opens new avenues for developing biological control products tailored to local environmental conditions. This work not only enhances our understanding of fire blight dynamics but also integrates and builds upon previous research in microbial antagonism and biocontrol strategies.

AgricultureBiochemPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Monitoring studies of the occurrence of fire blight pathogen in Kazakhstan and identification of antagonistic microorganisms suppressing its development.

Published 7th August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.285493

Related Studies

2) Methods for in vitro evaluating antimicrobial activity: A review.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpha.2015.11.005

3) Epiphytic bacteria and yeasts on apple blossoms and their potential as antagonists of Erwinia amylovora.

https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-99-5-0571

4) Antagonistic and protective activity of Lactobacillus plantarum strain 17 M against E. amylovora.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-023-03765-3


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