Development of species-, strain- and antibiotic biosynthesis-specific quantitative PCR assays for Pantoea agglomerans as tools for biocontrol monitoring.
Pantoea agglomerans is a cosmopolitan plant epiphytic bacterium that includes some of the most effective biological antagonists against the fire blight pathogen Erwinia amylovora, a major threat to pome fruit production worldwide. Strain E325 is commercially available as Bloomtime Biological™ in the USA and Canada. New quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays were developed for species- and strain -specific detection in the environment, and for detection of indigenous strains carrying the biocontrol antibacterial peptide biosynthesis gene paaA. The qPCR assays were highly specific, efficient and sensitive, detecting fewer than three cells per reaction or 700 colony forming units per flower, respectively. The qPCR assays were tested on field samples, giving first indications to the incidence of P. agglomerans E325 related strains, total P. agglomerans and pantocin A producing bacteria in commercial orchards. These assays will facilitate monitoring the environmental behavior of biocontrol P. agglomerans after orchard application for disease protection, proprietary strain-tracking, and streamlined screening for discovery of new biocontrol strains.
Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil ACW, Plant Protection Division, CH-8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland.
Andrea
A
Braun-Kiewnick
Andreas
A
Lehmann
Fabio
F
Rezzonico
Chris
C
Wend
Theo H M
TH
Smits
Brion
B
Duffy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D061046:Biological Control Agents; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D035264:Flowers / Q000382:microbiology*; D006020:Glycopeptides / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D057230:Limit of Detection; D027845:Malus / Q000382:microbiology*; D058889:Molecular Typing; D020636:Pantoea / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013045:Species Specificity
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D061046:Biological Control Agents; D017931:DNA Primers; D006020:Glycopeptides; C482694:pantocin A