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To deploy durable plant resistance, we must understand its underlying molecular mechanisms. Type III effectors (T3Es) and their recognition play a central role in the interaction between bacterial pathogens and crops. We demonstrate that the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC) T3E ripAX2 triggers specific resistance in eggplant AG91‐25, which carries the major resistance locus EBWR9. The eggplant accession AG91‐25 is resistant to the wild‐type R. pseudosolanacearum strain GMI1000, whereas a ripAX2 defective mutant of this strain can cause wilt. Notably, the addition of ripAX2 from GMI1000 to PSS4 suppresses wilt development, demonstrating that RipAX2 is an elicitor of AG91‐25 resistance. RipAX2 has been shown previously to induce effector‐triggered immunity (ETI) in the wild relative eggplant Solanum torvum, and its putative zinc (Zn)‐binding motif (HELIH) is critical for ETI. We show that, in our model, the HELIH motif is not necessary for ETI on AG91‐25 eggplant. The ripAX2 gene was present in 68.1% of 91 screened RSSC strains, but in only 31.1% of a 74‐genome collection comprising R. solanacearum and R. syzygii strains. Overall, it is preferentially associated with R. pseudosolanacearum phylotype I. RipAX2GMI1000 appears to be the dominant allele, prevalent in both R. pseudosolanacearum and R. solanacearum, suggesting that the deployment of AG91‐25 resistance could control efficiently bacterial wilt in the Asian, African and American tropics. This study advances the understanding of the interaction between RipAX2 and the resistance genes at the EBWR9 locus, and paves the way for both functional genetics and evolutionary analyses.

International audience; Bacterial wilt (BW), caused by the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC), is a worldwide disease reported on a wide host range. RSSC strains belong to three species (Safni et al. 2014): R. pseudosolanacearum clusters in phylotypes I and III, R. solanacearum clusters in the phylotype II, and R. syzygii clusters in the phylotype IV. Each phylotype is subdivided into sequevars based on the endoglucanase gene (egl) partial sequencing (Fegan and Prior 2005). In New Caledonia, BW has been regularly encountered for decades around the island on solanaceous crops (Solanum lycopersicum L., S. tuberosum L., and S. melongena L.), but strains were never characterized except in 2015, when the quarantine IIB-1 (biovar 2 race 3) strains were reported from potato in La Foa and Bourail (https://www.ippc.int/​en/countries/new-caledonia/pestreports/​2015/08/ralstonia-solanacearum-bv2-race-3-in-new-caledonia/). Quarantine and eradication measures were then ordered by the New Caledonian authorities. In July 2017, during the cool season, BW-like symptoms were observed in two potato and two tomato plots in the Western and Eastern coasts of New Caledonia, respectively. Samples were collected into the four plots, and macerates from processed stem sections were plated for RSSC isolation on SM-1 semiselective medium (Granada and Sequeira 1983). Typical RSSC-like colonies, obtained from eight wilted plants, were characterized through phylotype-specific multiplex PCR (PMX-PCR) (Fegan and Prior 2005) as belonging to R. pseudosolanacearum phylotype I. By including international strains covering the current phylogenetic diversity reported for the RSSC, the phylogenetic maximum-likelihood tree approach (PhyML version 3.3 [Guindon et al. 2010] under Geneious R10.2.6 https://www.geneious.com) from partial egl sequencing (Fegan and Prior 2005) assigned them all with high congruence to the phylotype I sequevar 18. Three strains (RUN5565, RUN5570, and RUN5571 [GenBank MH880857, MH880862, and MH880863]) were isolated from the two potato plots in Pouembout. Four strains (RUN5564, RUN5567, RUN5568, and RUN5569 [GenBank MH880856, MH880859, MH880860, and MH880861]) were isolated from one tomato plot in Ponerihouen. The remaining strain (RUN5566 [GenBank MH880858]) was isolated from a tomato plot in Canala. Koch’s postulates were performed by inoculating the eight strains to the susceptible tomato accession L390 (Lebeau et al. 2011). Five plants per strain were inoculated by soil drenching with a Tris-buffer suspension of 108 CFU/ml, whereas negative control L390 plants were only drenched with sterile Tris-buffer. Plants were maintained at 28 ± 1°C at 95% relative humidity. All the inoculated tomato plants wilted within 7 days, whereas the negative controls remained asymptomatic. RSSC colonies, confirmed by the PMX-PCR, were only reisolated on SM-1 medium from symptomatic plants. This is the first report of R. pseudosolanacearum phylotype I in New Caledonia. Interestingly, IIB-1 strains were not isolated, suggesting that implemented eradication measures were effective. An extensive survey during the warm season, when climatic conditions are optimal for phylotype I, should be established to infer the prevalence and distribution of strains in New Caledonia including Loyalty Islands and to implement adapted control measures against BW.

TheRalstonia solanacearumspecies complex (RSSC), composed of three species and four phylotypes, are globally distributed soil-borne bacteria with a very broad host range. In 2009, a devastating potato bacterial wilt outbreak was declared in the central highlands of Madagascar, which reduced the production of vegetable crops including potato, eggplant, tomato and pepper. A molecular epidemiology study of Malagasy RSSC strains carried out between 2013 and 2017 identifiedR.pseudosolanacearum(phylotypes I and III) andR.solanacearum(phylotype II). A previously published population biology analysis of phylotypes II and III using two MultiLocus Variable Number of Tandem Repeats Analysis (MLVA) schemes revealed an emergent epidemic phylotype II (sequevar 1) group and endemic phylotype III isolates. We developed an optimized MLVA scheme (RS1-MLVA14) to characterize phylotype I strains in Madagascar to understand their genetic diversity and structure. The collection included isolates from 16 fields of different Solanaceae species sampled in Analamanga and Itasy regions (highlands) in 2013 (123 strains) and in Atsinanana region (lowlands) in 2006 (25 strains). Thirty-one haplotypes were identified, two of them being particularly prevalent: MT007 (30.14%) and MT004 (16.44%) (sequevar 18). Genetic diversity analysis revealed a significant contrasting level of diversity according to elevation and sampling region. More diverse at low altitude than at high altitude, the Malagasy phylotype I isolates were structured in two clusters, probably resulting from different historical introductions. Interestingly, the most prevalent Malagasy phylotype I isolates were genetically distant from regional and worldwide isolates. In this work, we demonstrated that the RS1-MLVA14 scheme can resolve differences from regional to field scales and is thus suited for deciphering the epidemiology of phylotype I populations.

International audience; An evolution experiment with the bacterial plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum revealed that several adap-tive mutations conferring enhanced fitness in plants arose in the efpR gene encoding a regulator of virulence and metabolic functions. In this study, we found that an efpR mutant systematically displays colonies with two morphotypes: the type S ('smooth', similar to the wild type) and the type EV ('efpR variant'). We demonstrated that the efpH gene, a homologue of efpR, plays a key role in the control of phenotypic heterogeneity, the ΔefpR-ΔefpH double mutant being stably locked into the EV type. Using mixed infection assays, we demonstrated that the type EV is metabolically more proficient than the type S and displays fitness gain in specific environments, whereas the type S has a better fitness into the plant environment. We provide evidence that this efpR-dependent phenotypic heterogeneity is a general feature of strains of the R. solanacearum species complex and could occur in natural conditions. This study highlights the potential role of phenotypic hetero-geneity in this plant pathogen as an adaptive trait to changing environments.

International audience; Xanthomonas transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) are injected inside plant cells to promote host susceptibility by enhancing transcription of host susceptibility genes. TALE-encoding (tal) genes were thought to be absent from Brassicaceae-infecting Xanthomonas campestris (Xc) genomes based on four reference genomic sequences. We discovered tal genes in 26 of 49 Xc strains isolated worldwide and used a combination of single molecule real time (SMRT) and tal amplicon sequencing to yield a near-complete description of the TALEs found in Xc (Xc TALome). The 53 sequenced tal genes encode 21 distinct DNA binding domains that sort into seven major DNA binding specificities. In silico analysis of the Brassica rapa promoterome identified a repertoire of predicted TALE targets, five of which were experimentally validated using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The Xc TALome shows multiple signs of DNA rearrangements that probably drove its evolution from two ancestral tal genes. We discovered that Tal12a and Tal15a of Xcc strain Xca5 contribute together in the development of disease symptoms on susceptible B. oleracea var. botrytis cv Clovis. This large and polymorphic repertoire of TALEs opens novel perspectives for elucidating TALE-mediated susceptibility of Brassicaceae to black rot disease and for understanding the molecular processes underlying TALE evolution.

International audience; The genetic and phenotypic diversity of the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex, which causes bacterial wilt to Solanacae, was assessed in 140 strains sampled from the main vegetable production areas of the Mayotte island. Only phylotype I strains were identified in the five surveyed areas. The strains were distributed into the following 4 sequevars: I-31 (85.7%), I-18 (5.0%), I-15 (5.7%), and I-46 (3.6%). The central area of Mayotte was the most diverse region, harboring 4 sequevars representing 47.1% of the collected strains. Virulence tests were performed under field and controlled conditions on a set of 10 tomato breeding line accessions and two commercial hybrid tomato cultivars. The strains belonging to sequevar I-31 showed the highest virulence on the tomatoes (pathotypes T-2 and T-3), whereas sequevars I-18, I-15, and I-46 were grouped into the weakly T-1 pathotype. When the tomato accessions were challenged in the field and growth chambers, the highest level of resistance were observed from the genetically related accessions Hawaii 7996, R3034, TML46, and CLN1463. These accessions were considered moderately to highly resistant to representative strains of the most virulent and prevalent sequevar (I-31). Interestingly, the Platinum F1 cultivar, which was recently commercialized in Mayotte for bacterial wilt resistance, was highly or moderately resistant to all strains. This study represents the first step in the rationalization of resistance deployment strategies against bacterial wilt-causing strains in Mayotte.

The Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC) is a highly diverse cluster of bacterial strains found worldwide, many of which are destructive and cause bacterial wilt (BW) in a wide range of host plants. In 2009, potato production in Madagascar was dramatically affected by several BW epidemics. Controlling this disease is critical for Malagasy potato producers. The first important step toward control is the characterization of strains and their putative origins. The genetic diversity and population structure of the RSSC were investigated in the major potato production areas of the Highlands. A large collection of strains (n = 1224) was assigned to RSSC phylotypes based on multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Phylotypes I and III have been present in Madagascar for a long time but rarely associated with major potato BW outbreaks. The marked increase of BW prevalence was found associated with phylotype IIB sequevar 1 (IIB-1) strains (n = 879). This is the first report of phylotype IIB-1 strains in Madagascar. In addition to reference strains, epidemic IIB-1 strains (n = 255) were genotyped using the existing MultiLocus Variable-Number Tandem Repeat Analysis (MLVA) scheme RS2-MLVA9, producing 31 haplotypes separated into two related clonal complexes (CCs). One major CC included most of the worldwide haplotypes distributed across wide areas. A regional-scale investigation suggested that phylotype IIB-1 strains were introduced and massively spread via latently infected potato seed tubers. Additionally, the genetic structure of phylotype IIB-1 likely resulted from a bottleneck/founder effect. The population structure of phylotype III, described here for the first time in Madagascar, exhibited a different pattern. Phylotype III strains (n = 217) were genotyped using the highly discriminatory MLVA scheme RS3-MLVA16. High genetic diversity was uncovered, with 117 haplotypes grouped into 11 CCs. Malagasy phylotype III strains were highly differentiated from continental African strains, suggesting no recent migration from the continent. Overall, population structure of phylotype III involves individual small CCs that correlate to restricted geographic areas in Madagascar. The evidence suggests, if at all, that African phylotype III strains are not efficiently transmitted through latently infected potato seed tubers.

Bacterial wilt caused by the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC) is considered one of the most harmful plant diseases in the world. Special attention should be paid to R. pseudosolanacearum phylotype I due to its large host range, its worldwide distribution, and its high evolutionary potential. So far, the molecular epidemiology and population genetics of this bacterium are poorly understood. Until now, the genetic structure of the RSSC has been analyzed on the worldwide and regional scales. Emerging questions regarding evolutionary forces in RSSC adaptation to hosts now require genetic markers that are able to monitor RSSC field populations. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) approach for its ability to discriminate genetically close phylotype I strains and for population genetics studies. We developed a new MLVA scheme (MLVA-7) allowing us to genotype 580 R. pseudosolanacearum phylotype I strains extracted from susceptible and resistant hosts and from different habitats (stem, soil, and rhizosphere). Based on specificity, polymorphism, and the amplification success rate, we selected seven fast-evolving variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR) markers. The newly developed MLVA-7 scheme showed higher discriminatory power than the previously published MLVA-13 scheme when applied to collections sampled from the same location on different dates and to collections from different locations on very small scales. Our study provides a valuable tool for fine-scale monitoring and microevolution-related study of R. pseudosolanacearum phylotype I populations. IMPORTANCE Understanding the evolutionary dynamics of adaptation of plant pathogens to new hosts or ecological niches has become a key point for the development of innovative disease management strategies, including durable resistance. Whereas the molecular mechanisms underlying virulence or pathogenicity changes have been studied thoroughly, the population genetics of plant pathogen adaptation remains an open, unexplored field, especially for plant-pathogenic bacteria. MLVA has become increasingly popular for epidemiosurveillance and molecular epidemiology studies of plant pathogens. However, this method has been used mostly for genotyping and identification on a regional or global scale. In this study, we developed a new MLVA scheme, targeting phylotype I of the soilborne Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC), specifically to address the bacterial population genetics on the field scale. Such a MLVA scheme, based on fast-evolving loci, may be a tool of choice for field experimental evolution and spatial genetics studies.

The mechanisms determining the host range of Xanthomonas are still undeciphered, despite much interest in their potential roles in the evolution and emergence of plant pathogenic bacteria. Xanthomonas citri pv. citri (Xci) is an interesting model of host specialization because of its pathogenic variants: pathotype A strains infect a wide range of Rutaceous species, whereas pathotype A*/AW strains have a host range restricted to Mexican lime (Citrus aurantifolia) and alemow (Citrus macrophylla). Based on a collection of 55 strains representative of Xci worldwide diversity assessed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), we investigated the distribution of type III effectors (T3Es) in relation to host range. We examined the presence of 66 T3Es from xanthomonads in Xci and identified a repertoire of 28 effectors, 26 of which were shared by all Xci strains, whereas two (xopAG and xopC1) were present only in some A*/AW strains. We found that xopAG (=avrGf1) was present in all AW strains, but also in three A* strains genetically distant from AW, and that all xopAG-containing strains induced the hypersensitive response (HR) on grapefruit and sweet orange. The analysis of xopAD and xopAG suggested horizontal transfer between X. citri pv. bilvae, another citrus pathogen, and some Xci strains. A strains were genetically less diverse, induced identical phenotypic responses and possessed indistinguishable T3E repertoires. Conversely, A*/AW strains exhibited a wider genetic diversity in which clades correlated with geographical origin and T3E repertoire, but not with pathogenicity, according to T3E deletion experiments. Our data outline the importance of taking into account the heterogeneity of Xci A*/AW strains when analysing the mechanisms of host specialization.

Bacterial diseases of bananas and enset have not received, until recently, an equal amount of attention compared to other major threats to banana production such as the fungal diseases black leaf streak (Mycosphaerella fijiensis) and Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense). However, bacteria cause significant impacts on bananas globally and management practices are not always well known or adopted by farmers. Bacterial diseases in bananas and enset can be divided into three groups: 1) Ralstonia-associated diseases (Moko/Bugtok disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum and banana blood disease caused by Ralstonia syzygii subsp. celebesensis); 2) Xanthomonas wilt of banana and enset, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum and (3) Erwinia-associated diseases (bacterial head rot or tip-over disease Erwinia carotovora ssp. carotovora and E. chrysanthemi), bacterial rhizome and pseudostem wet rot (Dickeya paradisiaca formerly E. chrysanthemi pv. paradisiaca). Other bacterial diseases of less widespread importance include: Javanese vascular wilt, bacterial wilt of abaca and bacterial fingertip rot (probably caused by Ralstonia spp., unconfirmed). This review describes global distribution, symptoms, pathogenic diversity, epidemiology and the state of the art for sustainable disease management of the major bacterial wilts currently affecting banana and enset.

N’Guessan, C. A., Abo, K., Fondio, L., Chiroleu, F., Lebeau, A., Poussier, S., Wicker, E., and Kone, D. 2012. So near and yet so far: The specific case of Ralstonia solanacearum populations from Cote d’Ivoire in Africa. Phytopathology 102:733-740. The genetic and phenotypic diversity of Cote d’Ivoire Ralstonia solanacearum strains was assessed on a 168-strain collection sampled on Solanaceae both in the southern lowlands and western highlands. Phylotypes I, II, and III were prevalent, though at unexpected frequencies. Phylotype I strains (87.5%) were genetically diverse and overrepresented in all agroecological areas, including highlands (AEZ III). Phylotype II strains (10.7%) only belonged to one tropical lowland-adapted broad host range lineage (IIA-35), whereas no highland-adapted potato brown rot (IIB-1) or Moko strains were detected. African phylotype III strains were rare (1.8%). They originated from a single Burkina Faso lineage (III-23) and were only found in lowlands. Three phylotype I strains were found harboring pRSC35, a plasmid identified in phylotype III strains in Cameroon. From pathogenicity tests performed on commercial varieties and tomato/eggplant/pepper references, the virulence diversity observed was high, with five pathoprofiles described. Eggplant accessions MM152 and EG203 and tomato HW7996 displayed the largest resistance spectrum and highest level. Two highly virulent phylotype I strains were able to bypass resistance of HW7996 and the eggplant reference AG9125. Collectively, these points lead to the conclusion that the situation in Cote d’Ivoire is specific towards other African countries, and specifically from the Cameroon reference, and that within phylotype I can exist a high virulence diversity. This calls for similar studies in neighboring West African countries, linking R. solanacearum pathogen genetic diversity to strain virulence at the regional level, for the rationalization of regional resistance deployment strategies and future resistance durability studies.

Xanthomonas arboricola is a complex bacterial species which mainly attacks fruit trees and is responsible for emerging diseases in Europe. It comprises seven pathovars ( X. arboricola pv. pruni, X. arboricola pv. corylina, X. arboricola pv. juglandis, X. arboricola pv. populi, X. arboricola pv. poinsettiicola, X. arboricola pv. celebensis, and X. arboricola pv. fragariae), each exhibiting characteristic disease symptoms and distinct host specificities. To better understand the factors underlying this ecological trait, we first assessed the phylogenetic relationships among a worldwide collection of X. arboricola strains by sequencing the housekeeping gene rpoD . This analysis revealed that strains of X. arboricola pathovar populi are divergent from the main X. arboricola cluster formed by all other strains. Then, we investigated the distribution of 53 type III effector (T3E) genes in a collection of 57 X. arboricola strains that are representative of the main X. arboricola cluster. Our results showed that T3E repertoires vary greatly between X. arboricola pathovars in terms of size. Indeed, X. arboricola pathovars pruni, corylina, and juglandis, which are responsible for economically important stone fruit and nut diseases in Europe, harbored the largest T3E repertoires, whereas pathovars poinsettiicola, celebensis, and fragariae harbored the smallest. We also identified several differences in T3E gene content between X. arboricola pathovars pruni, corylina, and juglandis which may account for their differing host specificities. Further, we examined the allelic diversity of eight T3E genes from X. arboricola pathovars. This analysis revealed very limited allelic variations at the different loci. Altogether, the data presented here provide new insights into the evolution of pathogenicity and host range of X. arboricola and are discussed in terms of emergence of new diseases within this bacterial species.

Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) and type III effector (T3E) repertoire mining were performed to gain new insights into the genetic relatedness of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc), two major bacterial pathogens of rice. Based on a collection of 45 African and Asian strains, we first sequenced and analysed three housekeeping genes by MLSA, Bayesian clustering and a median-joining network approach. Second, we investigated the distribution of 32 T3E genes, which are known to be major virulence factors of plant pathogenic bacteria, in all selected strains, by polymerase chain reaction and dot-blot hybridization methods. The diversity observed within housekeeping genes, as well as within T3E repertoires, clearly showed that both pathogens belong to closely related, but distinct, phylogenetic groups. Interestingly, these evolutionary groups are differentiated according to the geographical origin of the strains, suggesting that populations of Xoo and Xoc might be endemic in Africa and Asia, and thus have evolved separately. We further revealed that T3E gene repertoires of both pathogens comprise core and variable gene suites that probably have distinct roles in pathogenicity and different evolutionary histories. In this study, we carried out a functional analysis of xopO, a differential T3E gene between Xoo and Xoc, to determine the involvement of this gene in tissue specificity. Altogether, our data contribute to a better understanding of the evolutionary history of Xoo and Xoc in Africa and Asia, and provide clues for functional studies aiming to understand the virulence, host and tissue specificity of both rice pathogens.

Fluorescent amplified fragment length polymorphism revealed that strains of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli and Xanthomonas fuscans subsp. fuscans are genetically distinct and can be grouped into four genetic lineages. Four suppression subtractive hybridizations were then performed to isolate DNA fragments present in these bean pathogens and absent from closely related xanthomonads. Virulence gene candidates were identified such as homologs of hemagglutinins, TonB-dependent receptors, zinc-dependent metalloproteases, type III effectors, and type IV secretion system components. Unexpectedly, homologs of the type III secretion apparatus components (SPI-1 family), usually reported in animal pathogens and insect symbionts, were also detected.

Ralstonia solanacearum displays variability in its virulence to solanaceous crops. We report here the draft genome sequences of eight phylotype I strains and one phylotype III strain differing in virulence to the resistant eggplant genotype AG91-25. These data will allow the identification of virulence- and avirulence-related genes.

Background.Reliable genotyping that provides an accurate description of diversity in the context of pathogen emergence is required for the establishment of strategies to improve disease management. MultiLocus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) is a valuable genotyping method. It can be performed at small evolutionary scales where high discriminatory power is needed. Strains of theRalstonia solanacearumspecies complex (RSSC) are highly genetically diverse. These destructive pathogens are the causative agent of bacterial wilt on an unusually broad range of host plants worldwide. In this study, we developed an MLVA scheme for genotyping the African RSSC phylotype III.Methods.We selected different publicly available tandem repeat (TR) loci and additional TR loci from the genome of strain CMR15 as markers. Based on these loci, a new phylotype III-MLVA scheme is presented. MLVA and multiLocus sequence typing (MLST) were compared at the global, regional, and local scales. Different populations of epidemiologically related and unrelated RSSC phylotype III strains were used.Results and Discussion.Sixteen polymorphic TR loci, which included seven microsatellites and nine minisatellites, were selected. These TR loci were distributed throughout the genome (chromosome and megaplasmid) and located in both coding and intergenic regions. The newly developed RS3-MLVA16 scheme was more discriminative than MLST. RS3-MLVA16 showed good ability in differentiating strains at global, regional, and local scales, and it especially highlighted epidemiological links between closely related strains at the local scale. RS3-MLVA16 also underlines genetic variability within the same MLST-type and clonal complex, and gives a first overview of population structure. Overall, RS3-MLVA16 is a promising genotyping method for outbreak investigation at a fine scale, and it could be used for outbreak investigation as a first-line, low-cost assay for the routine screening of RSSC phylotype III.

IS Xax1 is a novel insertion sequence belonging to the IS 256 and Mutator families. Dot blot, Southern blot, and PCR analyses revealed that IS Xax1 is restricted to Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli (variants fuscans and non-fuscans) and X. axonopodis pv. vesicatoria strains. Directed AFLP also showed that a high degree of polymorphism is associated with IS Xax1 insertion in these strains.

Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris is the causal agent of black rot on Brassicaceae . The draft genome sequences of strains CFBP 1869 and CFBP 5817 have been determined and are the first ones corresponding to race 1 and race 4 strains, which have a predominant agronomic and economic impact on cabbage cultures worldwide.

Molecular analyses of early disease events require infected plant tissue in which the pathogen is present in high quantities and interacts with the plant in a way found in the field. In this study, a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) assay was developed to determine an “infection ratio” of fungal to plant cells in infected tissues. This assay was used to evaluate four inoculation methods (spray, mist, dip, and sheath) as well as use of whole plants or excised parts. Fluorescence stereomicroscopy was used to follow individual lesions developing from appressoria to macroscopic symptoms. Disease progression and outcomes were documented from 24 to 96 h postinoculation (hpi), as well as effectiveness of Pi-ta-mediated resistance. Even at 96 hpi, fungus proliferated well ahead of visible plant damage, especially in veins. Developing lesions sometimes were surrounded by greener areas in detached leaves. Spray inoculation was not sufficient for detecting fungal gene expression in planta before 96 h. Alternatively, a leaf sheath assay produced infected tissues containing 10 to 30% fungal DNA by 34 h. Used together, Q-PCR quantification and fluorescence stereomicroscopy will facilitate studies of early plant invasion because infection density and fungal growth stages are directly observed, not assumed from incubation time.

Ralstonia solanacearum is a plant pathogenic bacterium that undergoes a spontaneous phenotypic conversion (PC) from a wild-type pathogenic to a non-pathogenic form. PC is often associated with mutations in phcA, which is a key virulence regulatory gene. Until now, reversion to the wild-type pathogenic form has not been observed for PC variants and the biological significance of PC has been questioned. In this study, we characterized various alterations in phcA (eight IS element insertions, three tandem duplications, seven deletions and a base substitution) in 19 PC mutants from the model strain GMI1000. In five of these variants, reversion to the pathogenic form was observed in planta, while no reversion was ever noticed in vitro whatever culture media used. However, reversion was observed for a 64 bp tandem duplication in vitro in the presence of tomato root exudate. This is the first report showing a complete cycle of phenotypic conversion/reversion in a plant pathogenic bacterium.

A sensitive and specific assay, based on a Nested-PCR-RFLP protocol, was developed for the detection of biovars of Ralstonia solanacearum, the causal agent of bacterial wilt. Oligonucleotide primer pairs were selected within the hrp gene region. Specific amplification of the hrp fragments was obtained for all R. solanacearum strains and also for two closely related species, Pseudomonas syzygii and the blood disease bacterium. No amplification was observed for a wide range of other bacterial species, including R. pickettii and Burkholderia cepacia. Digestion with HindII provided four distinct restriction profiles specific to biovars or groups of biovars of R. solanacearum: one for biovar 1 strains originating from the Southern part of Africa, one for American biovar 1 and biovars 2 and N2 strains, one for biovars 3 and 4 strains, and one for biovar 5 strains. When applied to either pure culture or infected plant tissues, Nested-PCR allowed detection as low as 1000 cfu ml-1, which corresponds to 1 cfu per reaction. Amplification was partially or completely inhibited by compounds contained in plant extracts (potato plant and potato tuber, tomato, tobacco, eggplant, pepper and Pelargonium asperum). A combined PVPP/BSA treatment prior to amplification permitted reliable Nested-PCR detection of R. solanacearum strains in plant samples. Nested-PCR-RFLP, assessed with isolates from Reunion Island but also applicable to any R. solanacearum strain, provides a wide range of possible uses for identification, detection and epidemiological investigations. (Resume d'auteur)

l pasado 21 de abril de 2009 la Honorable Consiliatura dio su aprobación al proyecto denominado Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis (Xam) is the causal agent of bacterial blight of cassava, which is among the main components of human diet in Africa and South America. Current information about the molecular pathogenicity factors involved in the infection process of this organism is limited. Previous studies in other bacteria in this genus suggest that advanced draft genome sequences are valuable resources for molecular studies on their interaction with plants and could provide valuable tools for diagnostics and detection. Here we have generated the first manually annotated high-quality draft genome sequence of Xam strain CIO151. Its genomic structure is similar to that of other xanthomonads, especially Xanthomonas euvesicatoria and Xanthomonas citri pv. citri species. Several putative pathogenicity factors were identified, including type III effectors, cell wall-degrading enzymes and clusters encoding protein secretion systems. Specific characteristics in this genome include changes in the xanthomonadin cluster that could explain the lack of typical yellow color in all strains of this pathovar and the presence of 50 regions in the genome with atypical nucleotide composition. The genome sequence was used to predict and evaluate 22 variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) loci that were subsequently demonstrated as polymorphic in representative Xam strains. Our results demonstrate that Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis strain CIO151 possesses ten clusters of pathogenicity factors conserved within the genus Xanthomonas. We report 126 genes that are potentially unique to Xam, as well as potential horizontal transfer events in the history of the genome. The relation of these regions with virulence and pathogenicity could explain several aspects of the biology of this pathogen, including its ability to colonize both vascular and non-vascular tissues of cassava plants. A set of 16 robust, polymorphic VNTR loci will be useful to develop a multi-locus VNTR analysis scheme for epidemiological surveillance of this disease.

Background Xanthomonads are plant-associated bacteria responsible for diseases on economically important crops. Xanthomonas fuscans subsp. fuscans (Xff) is one of the causal agents of common bacterial blight of bean. In this study, the complete genome sequence of strain Xff 4834-R was determined and compared to other Xanthomonas genome sequences. Results Comparative genomics analyses revealed core characteristics shared between Xff 4834-R and other xanthomonads including chemotaxis elements, two-component systems, TonB-dependent transporters, secretion systems (from T1SS to T6SS) and multiple effectors. For instance a repertoire of 29 Type 3 Effectors (T3Es) with two Transcription Activator-Like Effectors was predicted. Mobile elements were associated with major modifications in the genome structure and gene content in comparison to other Xanthomonas genomes. Notably, a deletion of 33 kbp affects flagellum biosynthesis in Xff 4834-R. The presence of a complete flagellar cluster was assessed in a collection of more than 300 strains representing different species and pathovars of Xanthomonas. Five percent of the tested strains presented a deletion in the flagellar cluster and were non-motile. Moreover, half of the Xff strains isolated from the same epidemic than 4834-R was non-motile and this ratio was conserved in the strains colonizing the next bean seed generations. Conclusions This work describes the first genome of a Xanthomonas strain pathogenic on bean and reports the existence of non-motile xanthomonads belonging to different species and pathovars. Isolation of such Xff variants from a natural epidemic may suggest that flagellar motility is not a key function for in planta fitness.

The pathogenic bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, the causal agent of black rot of Brassicaceae, manipulates the physiology and the innate immunity of its hosts. Association genetic and reverse-genetic analyses of a world panel of 45 X. campestris pv. campestris strains were used to gain understanding of the genetic basis of the bacterium’s pathogenicity to Arabidopsis thaliana. We found that the compositions of the minimal predicted type III secretome varied extensively, with 18 to 28 proteins per strain. There were clear differences in aggressiveness of those X. campestris pv. campestris strains on two Arabidopsis natural accessions. We identified 3 effector genes (xopAC, xopJ5, and xopAL2) and 67 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers that were associated with variations in disease symptoms. The nature and distribution of the AFLP markers remain to be determined, but we observed a low linkage disequilibrium level between predicted effectors and other significant markers, suggesting that additional genetic factors make a meaningful contribution to pathogenicity. Mutagenesis of type III effectors in X. campestris pv. campestris confirmed that xopAC functions as both a virulence and an avirulence gene in Arabidopsis and that xopAM functions as a second avirulence gene on plants of the Col-0 ecotype. However, we did not detect the effect of any other effector in the X. campestris pv. campestris 8004 strain, likely due to other genetic background effects. These results highlight the complex genetic basis of pathogenicity at the pathovar level and encourage us to challenge the agronomical relevance of some virulence determinants identified solely in model strains., IMPORTANCE The identification and understanding of the genetic determinants of bacterial virulence are essential to be able to design efficient protection strategies for infected plants. The recent availability of genomic resources for a limited number of pathogen isolates and host genotypes has strongly biased our research toward genotype-specific approaches. Indeed, these do not consider the natural variation in both pathogens and hosts, so their applied relevance should be challenged. In our study, we exploited the genetic diversity of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, the causal agent of black rot on Brassicaceae (e.g., cabbage), to mine for pathogenicity determinants. This work evidenced the contribution of known and unknown loci to pathogenicity relevant at the pathovar level and identified these virulence determinants as prime targets for breeding resistance to X. campestris pv. campestris in Brassicaceae.

Background Various bacteria can use non-ribosomal peptide synthesis (NRPS) to produce peptides or other small molecules. Conserved features within the NRPS machinery allow the type, and sometimes even the structure, of the synthesized polypeptide to be predicted. Thus, bacterial genome mining via in silico analyses of NRPS genes offers an attractive opportunity to uncover new bioactive non-ribosomally synthesized peptides. Xanthomonas is a large genus of Gram-negative bacteria that cause disease in hundreds of plant species. To date, the only known small molecule synthesized by NRPS in this genus is albicidin produced by Xanthomonas albilineans. This study aims to estimate the biosynthetic potential of Xanthomonas spp. by in silico analyses of NRPS genes with unknown function recently identified in the sequenced genomes of X. albilineans and related species of Xanthomonas. Results We performed in silico analyses of NRPS genes present in all published genome sequences of Xanthomonas spp., as well as in unpublished draft genome sequences of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae strain BAI3 and Xanthomonas spp. strain XaS3. These two latter strains, together with X. albilineans strain GPE PC73 and X. oryzae pv. oryzae strains X8-1A and X11-5A, possess novel NRPS gene clusters and share related NRPS-associated genes such as those required for the biosynthesis of non-proteinogenic amino acids or the secretion of peptides. In silico prediction of peptide structures according to NRPS architecture suggests eight different peptides, each specific to its producing strain. Interestingly, these eight peptides cannot be assigned to any known gene cluster or related to known compounds from natural product databases. PCR screening of a collection of 94 plant pathogenic bacteria indicates that these novel NRPS gene clusters are specific to the genus Xanthomonas and are also present in Xanthomonas translucens and X. oryzae pv. oryzicola. Further genome mining revealed other novel NRPS genes specific to X. oryzae pv. oryzicola or Xanthomonas sacchari. Conclusions This study revealed the significant potential of the genus Xanthomonas to produce new non-ribosomally synthesized peptides. Interestingly, this biosynthetic potential seems to be specific to strains of Xanthomonas associated with monocotyledonous plants, suggesting a putative involvement of non-ribosomally synthesized peptides in plant-bacteria interactions.

International audience; Ralstonia solanacearum is an important soil borne bacterial plant pathogen causing bacterial wilt on many important crops. To better monitor epidemics, efficient tools that can identify and discriminate populations are needed. In this study, we assessed variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) genotyping as a new tool for epidemiological surveillance of R. solanacearum phylotypes, and more specifically for the monitoring of the monomorphic ecotypes "Moko" (banana-pathogenic) and "brown rot" (potato-pathogenic under cool conditions). Screening of six R. solanacearum genome sequences lead to select 36 VNTR loci that were preliminarily amplified on 24 strains. From this step, 26 single-locus primer pairs were multiplexed, and applied to a worldwide collection of 337 strains encompassing the whole phylogenetic diversity, with revelation on a capillary-electrophoresis genotype. Four loci were monomorphic within all phylotypes and were not retained; the other loci were highly polymorphic but displayed a clear phylotype-specificity. Phylotypespecific MLVA schemes were thus defined, based on 13 loci for phylotype I, 12 loci for phylotype II, 11 loci for phylotype III and 6 for phylotype IV. MLVA typing was significantly more discriminative than egl-based sequevar typing, particularly on monomorphic "brown rot" ecotype (phylotype IIB/sequevar 1) and "Moko disease" clade 4 (Phylotype IIB/sequevar 4). Our results raise promising prospects for studies of population genetic structures and epidemiological monitoring. (Résumé d'auteur)

International audience; In this study we developed an algorithm to screen for all exact molecular signatures of the quarantine pathogen Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli (Xap), based on available data of the presence or absence of virulence-associated genes. The simultaneous presence of genes avrBsT and xopL is specific to Xap. Therefore we developed a multiplex PCR assay targeting avrBsT and xopL for the molecular identification of Xap. The specificity of this multiplex was validated by comparison to that of other molecular identification assays aimed at Xap, on a wide collection of reference strains. This multiplex was further validated on a blind collection of Xanthomonas isolates for which pathogenicity was assayed by stem wounding and by dipping leaves into calibrated inocula. This multiplex was combined to the previously described X4c/X4e molecular identification assay for Xap. Such a combination enables the molecular identification of all strains of Xanthomonas pathogenic on bean. Results also show that assay by stem wounding does not give reliable results in the case of Xap, and that pathogenicity assays by dipping should be preferred. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

International audience; We used multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) on a worldwide collection of the plant pathogenic Ralstonia solanacearum (Betaproteobacteria) to retrace its complex evolutionary history. Using genetic imprints left during R. solanacearum evolution, we were able to delineate distinct evolutionary complex displaying contrasting dynamics. Among the phylotypes already described (I, IIA, IIB, III, IV), eight groups of strains with distinct evolutionary patterns, named clades, were identified. From our recombination analysis, we identified 21 recombination events that occurred within and across these lineages. Although appearing the most divergent and ancestral phylotype, phylotype IV was inferred as a gene donor for the majority of the recombination events that we detected. Whereas this phylotype apparently fuelled the species diversity, ongoing diversification was mainly detected within phylotype I, IIA and III. These three groups presented a recent expanding population structure, a high level of homologous recombination and evidences of long-distance migrations. Factors such as adaptation to a specific host or intense trading of infected crops may have promoted this diversification. Whether R. solanacearum lineages will eventually evolve in distinct species remains an open question. The intensification of cropping and increase of geographical dispersion may favour situations of phylotype sympatry and promote higher exchange of key factors for host adaptation from their common genetic pool. (Résumé d'auteur)

Xanthomonas albilineans is the causal agent of sugarcane leaf scald. Interestingly, this bacterium, which is not known to be insect or animal associated, possesses a type III secretion system (T3SS) belonging to the injectisome family Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1). The T3SS SPI-1 of X. albilineans shares only low similarity with other available T3SS SPI-1 sequences. Screening of a collection of 128 plant-pathogenic bacteria revealed that this T3SS SPI-1 is present in only two species of Xanthomonas: X. albilineans and X. axonopodis pv. phaseoli. Inoculation of sugarcane with knockout mutants showed that this system is not required by X. albilineans to spread within xylem vessels and to cause disease symptoms. This result was confirmed by the absence of this T3SS SPI-1 in an X. albilineans strain isolated from diseased sugarcane. To investigate the importance of the T3SS SPI-1 during the life cycle of X. albilineans, we analyzed T3SS SPI-1 sequences from 11 strains spanning the genetic diversity of this species. No nonsense mutations or frameshifting indels were observed in any of these strains, suggesting that the T3SS SPI-1 system is maintained within the species X. albilineans. Evolutionary features of T3SS SPI-1 based on phylogenetic, recombination, and selection analyses are discussed in the context of the possible functional importance of T3SS SPI-1 in the ecology of X. albilineans.

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Background The Xanthomonadaceae family contains two xylem-limited plant pathogenic bacterial species, Xanthomonas albilineans and Xylella fastidiosa. X. fastidiosa was the first completely sequenced plant pathogen. It is insect-vectored, has a reduced genome and does not possess hrp genes which encode a Type III secretion system found in most plant pathogenic bacteria. X. fastidiosa was excluded from the Xanthomonas group based on phylogenetic analyses with rRNA sequences. Results The complete genome of X. albilineans was sequenced and annotated. X. albilineans, which is not known to be insect-vectored, also has a reduced genome and does not possess hrp genes. Phylogenetic analysis using X. albilineans genomic sequences showed that X. fastidiosa belongs to the Xanthomonas group. Order of divergence of the Xanthomonadaceae revealed that X. albilineans and X. fastidiosa experienced a convergent reductive genome evolution during their descent from the progenitor of the Xanthomonas genus. Reductive genome evolutions of the two xylem-limited Xanthomonadaceae were compared in light of their genome characteristics and those of obligate animal symbionts and pathogens. Conclusion The two xylem-limited Xanthomonadaceae, during their descent from a common ancestral parent, experienced a convergent reductive genome evolution. Adaptation to the nutrient-poor xylem elements and to the cloistered environmental niche of xylem vessels probably favoured this convergent evolution. However, genome characteristics of X. albilineans differ from those of X. fastidiosa and obligate animal symbionts and pathogens, indicating that a distinctive process was responsible for the reductive genome evolution in this pathogen. The possible role in genome reduction of the unique toxin albicidin, produced by X. albilineans, is discussed.

127 refs; International audience; BACKGROUND: The genetic basis of host specificity for animal and plant pathogenic bacteria remains poorly understood. For plant pathogenic bacteria, host range is restricted to one or a few host plant species reflecting a tight adaptation to specific hosts. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Two hypotheses can be formulated to explain host specificity: either it can be explained by the phylogenetic position of the strains, or by the association of virulence genes enabling a pathological convergence of phylogenically distant strains. In this latter hypothesis, host specificity would result from the interaction between repertoires of bacterial virulence genes and repertoires of genes involved in host defences. To challenge these two hypotheses, we selected 132 Xanthomonas axonopodis strains representative of 18 different pathovars which display different host range. First, the phylogenetic position of each strain was determined by sequencing the housekeeping gene rpoD. This study showed that many pathovars of Xanthomonas axonopodis are polyphyletic. Second, we investigated the distribution of 35 type III effector genes (T3Es) in these strains by both PCR and hybridization methods. Indeed, for pathogenic bacteria T3Es were shown to trigger and to subvert host defences. Our study revealed that T3E repertoires comprise core and variable gene suites that likely have distinct roles in pathogenicity and different evolutionary histories. Our results showed a correspondence between composition of T3E repertoires and pathovars of Xanthomonas axonopodis. For polyphyletic pathovars, this suggests that T3E genes might explain a pathological convergence of phylogenetically distant strains. We also identified several DNA rearrangements within T3E genes, some of which correlate with host specificity of strains. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These data provide insight into the potential role played by T3E genes for pathogenic bacteria and support a "repertoire for repertoire" hypothesis that may explain host specificity. Our work provides resources for functional and evolutionary studies aiming at understanding host specificity of pathogenic bacteria, functional redundancy between T3Es and the driving forces shaping T3E repertoires.

Several procedures were compared for reliable PCR detection of Ralstonia solanacearum in common substrates (plant, seed, water and soil). In order to prevent the inhibition of PCR by substances contained in crude extracts, numerous DNA extraction procedures as well as additives to buffers or PCR mixtures were checked. Our results showed that the efficiency of these methods or compounds depended greatly upon the nature of the sample. Consequently, preparation of samples prior to PCR depended upon sample origin. Simple methods such as a combined PVPP/BSA treatment or the association of filtration and centrifugation for detecting the bacterium in plant or water samples were very powerful. DNA capture also efficiently overcame PCR inhibition problems and ensured the detection of R. solanacearum in environmental samples. However, the commercial DNA extraction QIAamp® kit appeared to be the most effective tool to guarantee the accurate PCR detection of the pathogen whatever the origin of the sample; this was particularly true for soil samples where the commonly used methods for the detection of R. solanacearum were inefficient. This study demonstrates that using an appropriate procedure, PCR is a useful and powerful tool for detecting low levels of R. solanacearum populations in their natural habitats.

International audience; We determined partial hrpB and endoglucanase genes sequences for 30 strains of Ralstonia solanacearum and one strain of the blood disease bacterium (BDB), a close relative of Ralstonia solanacearum. Sequence comparisons showed high levels of variability within these two regions of the genome involved in pathogenicity. Phylogenetic analysis based upon sequence comparisons of these two regions revealed three major clusters comprising all Ralstonia solanacearum isolates, the BDB strain constituted a phylogenetically distinct entity. Cluster 1 and cluster 2 corresponded to the previously defined divisions 1 and 2 of Ralstonia solanacearum. Moreover, two subclusters could be identified within cluster 2. The last cluster, designated cluster 3 in this study, included biovar 1 and N2 strains originating from Africa. This recently described group of strains was confirmed to be clearly different from the other strains suggesting a separate evolution from those of both divisions 1 and 2.

Ralstonia (formerly Pseudomonas) solanacearum (E. F. Smith) Yabuuchi et al. (47) is the causal agent of bacterial wilt, a severe and devastating plant disease in most tropical and subtropical and some warm temperate areas (22). Moreover, it can also occur in cool temperate areas (9, 33). Many economically important food crops such as potatoes, tomatoes, and bananas are affected. The disease was recorded on several hundred plant species distributed in more than 50 families (23). The species R. solanacearum is a complex taxonomic unit in which strains display an important diversity at different levels (physiological, serological, genetic characteristics, and host range). In order to describe this intraspecific variability, several systems of classification have been proposed. Thus, the species was subdivided into five races according to its host range (7, 25, 35) and into six biovars based on the utilization of three disaccharides and three hexose alcohols (21, 24, 25). Fatty acid analysis (26, 42) and protein profiling (15) were also performed but did not further clarify the relationships among R. solanacearum strains. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis (involving nine probes, seven of which encode information required for virulence and the hypersensitive response) (12–14) has provided a new classification scheme dividing the species into 46 groups in relation to geographic origin of strains and sometimes host range. The species was then separated into two major groups, the “Asiaticum” and the “Americanum” divisions, which regrouped strains from Asia and America, respectively. Further investigations comparing sequences of 16S rRNA (30, 40, 43) or using PCR amplification with tRNA consensus primers (39) supported the separation according to geographic origin. Only a few strains originating from Africa, and only one from Reunion Island (21), were included in these previous studies. However, strains related to the three major biovars (1, 2, and 3) were isolated from various crops in Reunion (17). The aim of our study was to assess the genetic diversity within the local populations of R. solanacearum. Since we also wanted to develop molecular tools for the identification and detection of R. solanacearum biovars, we used the PCR-RFLP procedure to analyze the diversity. Recently, several authors have successfully performed PCR-RFLP analysis to assess genetic diversity among bacterial species (27, 28, 31, 44, 45). The hrp (hypersensitive reaction and pathogenicity) gene region, which is required by many phytopathogenic bacteria to produce symptoms on susceptible hosts and a hypersensitive reaction on resistant hosts or on nonhosts (1, 3, 4, 6, 18, 29), was explored for studying the variability within a collection of 120 strains isolated from different hosts over the five continents and belonging to biovars 1, 2, 3, and 4.

International audience; Deciphering mechanisms shaping bacterial diversity should help to build tools to predict the emergence of infectious diseases. Xanthomonads are plant pathogenic bacteria found worldwide. Xanthomonas axonopodis is a genetically heterogeneous species clustering, into six groups, strains that are collectively pathogenic on a large number of plants. However, each strain displays a narrow host range. We address the question of the nature of the evolutionary processes - geographical and ecological speciation - that shaped this diversity. We assembled a large collection of X. axonopodis strains that were isolated over a long period, over continents, and from various hosts. Based on the sequence analysis of seven housekeeping genes, we found that recombination occurred as frequently as point mutation in the evolutionary history of X. axonopodis. However, the impact of recombination was about three times greater than the impact of mutation on the diversity observed in the whole dataset. We then reconstructed the clonal genealogy of the strains using coalescent and genealogy approaches and we studied the diversification of the pathogen using a model of divergence with migration. The suggested scenario involves a first step of generalist diversification that spanned over the last 25 000 years. A second step of ecology-driven specialization occurred during the past two centuries. Eventually, secondary contacts between host-specialized strains probably occurred as a result of agricultural development and intensification, allowing genetic exchanges of virulence-associated genes. These transfers may have favored the emergence of novel pathotypes. Finally, we argue that the largest ecological entity within X. axonopodis is the pathovar. © 2013 Mhedbi-Hajri et al.

Background Xanthomonas albilineans causes leaf scald, a lethal disease of sugarcane. X. albilineans exhibits distinctive pathogenic mechanisms, ecology and taxonomy compared to other species of Xanthomonas. For example, this species produces a potent DNA gyrase inhibitor called albicidin that is largely responsible for inducing disease symptoms; its habitat is limited to xylem; and the species exhibits large variability. A first manuscript on the complete genome sequence of the highly pathogenic X. albilineans strain GPE PC73 focused exclusively on distinctive genomic features shared with Xylella fastidiosa—another xylem-limited Xanthomonadaceae. The present manuscript on the same genome sequence aims to describe all other pathogenicity-related genomic features of X. albilineans, and to compare, using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH), genomic features of two strains differing in pathogenicity. Results Comparative genomic analyses showed that most of the known pathogenicity factors from other Xanthomonas species are conserved in X. albilineans, with the notable absence of two major determinants of the “artillery” of other plant pathogenic species of Xanthomonas: the xanthan gum biosynthesis gene cluster, and the type III secretion system Hrp (hypersensitive response and pathogenicity). Genomic features specific to X. albilineans that may contribute to specific adaptation of this pathogen to sugarcane xylem vessels were also revealed. SSH experiments led to the identification of 20 genes common to three highly pathogenic strains but missing in a less pathogenic strain. These 20 genes, which include four ABC transporter genes, a methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein gene and an oxidoreductase gene, could play a key role in pathogenicity. With the exception of hypothetical proteins revealed by our comparative genomic analyses and SSH experiments, no genes potentially involved in any offensive or counter-defensive mechanism specific to X. albilineans were identified, supposing that X. albilineans has a reduced artillery compared to other pathogenic Xanthomonas species. Particular attention has therefore been given to genomic features specific to X. albilineans making it more capable of evading sugarcane surveillance systems or resisting sugarcane defense systems. Conclusions This study confirms that X. albilineans is a highly distinctive species within the genus Xanthomonas, and opens new perpectives towards a greater understanding of the pathogenicity of this destructive sugarcane pathogen.