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Comparing bacterial properties in relation to the virulence factors of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri strains and evaluating resistance of subtribe Citrinae cultivars to the most virulent strain

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Abstract

Citrus Bacterial Canker disease, caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc), is one of the most devastating diseases that attacks citrus, especially in the southern areas of Iran. The objective of this investigation was to analyze several characteristics involved in Xcc virulence in relation to strain aggressiveness. To achieve this, swarming motility, biofilm formation, resistance to H2O2, and production of xanthan were evaluated considering 44 local strains causing citrus bacterial canker disease in Iran. All strains showed differential swarming motilities, biofilm formation abilities, and xanthan production. The most virulent strain, Xcc-KVXCC1, exhibited the greatest capability to form biofilm on solid surfaces, xanthan production, and pathogenicity on detached leaves of Citrus aurantifolia as well as positive chemotaxis toward C. aurantifolia extract. In this study, a total of 14 common and commercial citrus genotypes were evaluated for resistance to Xcc-KVXCC1. Genotypes were categorized into susceptible and resistant groups based on lesion number per inoculation site. Based on our results, C. aurantifolia was the most susceptible citrus cultivar to Xcc-KVXCC1. In contrast, C. aurantium, C. jumbhori, and C. reticulata cv. ponkan demonstrated high and moderately high resistance against Xcc-KVXCC1.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabbad, Iran

    Hossein Mirzaei-Najafgholi

  2. Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

    Milad Aeini

  3. Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi Uinversity of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

    Saeed Tarighi

  4. Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Horticultural Science Research Institute, Citrus and Subtropical Fruits Research Center, Ramsar, Iran

    Morteza Golmohammadi

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  1. Hossein Mirzaei-Najafgholi
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  2. Milad Aeini
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  3. Saeed Tarighi
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  4. Morteza Golmohammadi
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Correspondence to Hossein Mirzaei-Najafgholi or Milad Aeini.

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Mirzaei-Najafgholi, H., Aeini, M., Tarighi, S. et al. Comparing bacterial properties in relation to the virulence factors of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri strains and evaluating resistance of subtribe Citrinae cultivars to the most virulent strain. J Plant Pathol 103, 449–460 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42161-021-00760-1

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