Role of Stress-Induced Proteins RpoS and YicC in the Persistence of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Serotype Typhimurium in Tomato Plants.

Understanding the functional role of bacterial genes in the persistence of Salmonella in plant organs can facilitate the development of agricultural practices to mitigate food safety risks associated with the consumption of fresh produce contaminated with Salmonella spp. Our study showed that Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype Typhimurium (strain MDD14) persisted less in inoculated tomato plants than other Salmonella Typhimurium strains tested (JSG210, JSG626, JSG634, JSG637, JSG3444, and EV030415; P < 0.01). In-vitro assays performed in limited-nutrient conditions (growth rate, biofilm production, and motility) were inconclusive in explaining the in-planta phenotype observed with MDD14. Whole-genome sequencing combined with non-synonymous single nucleotide variations analysis was performed to identify genomic differences between MDD14 and the other Salmonella Typhimurium strains. The genome of MDD14 contained a truncated version (123 bp N-terminal) of yicC and a mutated version of rpoS (two non-synonymous substitutions, i.e., G66E and R82C), which are two stress-induced proteins involved in iron acquisition, environmental sensing, and cell envelope integrity. The rpoS and yicC genes were deleted in Salmonella Typhimurium JSG210 with the Lambda Red recombining system. Both mutants had limited persistence in tomato plant organs, similar to that of MDD14. In conclusion, we demonstrated that YicC and RpoS are involved in the persistence of Salmonella in tomato plants in greenhouse conditions and, thus, could represent potential targets to mitigate persistence of Salmonella spp. in planta. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Discovery and Characterization of Low-Molecular Weight Inhibitors of Erwinia tracheiphila.

Plant pathogenic bacteria in the genus Erwinia cause economically important diseases, including bacterial wilt of cucurbits caused by Erwinia tracheiphila. Conventional bactericides are insufficient to control this disease. Using high-throughput screening, 464 small molecules (SMs) with either cidal or static activity at 100 µM against a cucumber strain of E. tracheiphila were identified. Among them, 20 SMs (SM1 to SM20), composed of nine distinct chemical moiety structures, were cidal to multiple E. tracheiphila strains at 100 µM. These lead SMs had low toxicity to human cells and honey bees at 100 µM. No phytotoxicity was observed on melon plants at 100 µM, except when SM12 was either mixed with Silwet L-77 and foliar sprayed or when delivered through the roots. Lead SMs did not inhibit the growth of beneficial Pseudomonas and Enterobacter species but inhibited the growth of Bacillus species. Nineteen SMs were cidal to Xanthomonas cucurbitae and showed >50% growth inhibition against Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans. In addition, 19 SMs were cidal or static against Erwinia amylovora in vitro. Five SMs demonstrated potential to suppress E. tracheiphila when foliar sprayed on melon plants at 2× the minimum bactericidal concentration. Thirteen SMs reduced Et load in melon plants when delivered via roots. Temperature and light did not affect the activity of SMs. In vitro cidal activity was observed after 3 to 10 h of exposure to these five SMs. Here, we report 19 SMs that provide chemical scaffolds for future development of bactericides against plant pathogenic bacterial species.

Imidazole and Methoxybenzylamine Growth Inhibitors Reduce Salmonella Persistence in Tomato Plant Tissues.

HIGHLIGHTS: Small molecules (SMs) 1, 3, 4, and 5 are novel growth inhibitors of Salmonella enterica. These SMs are not toxic to tomato plant tissues including fruits. Combining biocontrol agents and SMs enhanced the control of Salmonella in infected plants. These SMs may be safe bactericides against Salmonella and phytopathogens in produce.

Specific Environmental Temperature and Relative Humidity Conditions and Grafting Affect the Persistence and Dissemination of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Serotype Typhimurium in Tomato Plant Tissues.

Little is known about the abiotic factors contributing to the preharvest persistence of Salmonella in tomato tissues. Therefore, we investigated the effects of specific environmental conditions and contamination methods on the persistence and dissemination of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype Typhimurium (JSG626) in tomato plants. When plants were sprayed on the leaves with a JSG626-contaminated solution, JSG626 persistence in the phyllosphere (bacteria located on the surface of the inoculated foliage and stem tissues) was lower at higher temperatures (30°C day/25°C night) than at lower temperatures (20°C day/15°C night). However, wounding cotyledons with contaminated tools improved JSG626 persistence and the internalization rate (2.27%) in planta compared to spray inoculation (0.004%). The systemic dissemination of JSG626 to other tissues increased when contaminated plants were grown under low relative humidity (<40%); however, JSG626 was only detected in the root systems at later sampling times (between 21 and 98 days postinoculation [dpi]). Further, after tomato scions were grafted onto rootstocks using contaminated cutting tools, dissemination of JSG626 was preferentially basipetal and occasionally acropetal in the plants, with higher persistence rates and loads of JSG626 in root systems compared to foliar tissues. JSG626 was detected in the grafting point and root systems up to 242 dpi; however, none of the fruits harvested from contaminated plants between 90 and 137 dpi were positive for JSG626. This study demonstrates that environmental temperature and relative humidity could be good indicators for estimating the persistence of Salmonella enterica in tomato plants. Further, root systems may represent a risk for long-term persistence of Salmonella enterica in tomato plants.IMPORTANCE Tomatoes are one of the most widely produced vegetables around the world; however, fresh tomatoes have been connected to multiple wide-scale salmonellosis outbreaks over the past decades. Salmonella is commonly found in the environment and can persist in hostile conditions for several weeks before being internalized into plant tissues, where it is protected from conventional sanitation methods. In addition to biotic factors (host, inoculum size, and phytobiome), abiotic factors (environmental conditions) may affect the persistence of Salmonella in crop production. This study demonstrates that specific environmental conditions, the inoculation method, and the inoculum density affect the persistence and dissemination of JSG626 in tomato plant tissues. Our findings enhance the understanding of interactions between Salmonella enterica and fresh produce and may lead to the development of novel management practices on farms.

Differential Colonization Dynamics of Cucurbit Hosts by Erwinia tracheiphila.

Bacterial wilt is one of the most destructive diseases of cucurbits in the Midwestern and Northeastern United States. Although the disease has been studied since 1900, host colonization dynamics remain unclear. Cucumis- and Cucurbita-derived strains exhibit host preference for the cucurbit genus from which they were isolated. We constructed a bioluminescent strain of Erwinia tracheiphila (TedCu10-BL#9) and colonization of different cucurbit hosts was monitored. At the second-true-leaf stage, Cucumis melo plants were inoculated with TedCu10-BL#9 via wounded leaves, stems, and roots. Daily monitoring of colonization showed bioluminescent bacteria in the inoculated leaf and petiole beginning 1 day postinoculation (DPI). The bacteria spread to roots via the stem by 2 DPI, reached the plant extremities 4 DPI, and the plant wilted 6 DPI. However, Cucurbita plants inoculated with TedCu10-BL#9 did not wilt, even at 35 DPI. Bioluminescent bacteria were detected 6 DPI in the main stem of squash and pumpkin plants, which harbored approximately 10(4) and 10(1) CFU/g, respectively, of TedCu10-BL#9 without symptoms. Although significantly less systemic plant colonization was observed in nonpreferred host Cucurbita plants compared with preferred hosts, the mechanism of tolerance of Cucurbita plants to E. tracheiphila strains from Cucumis remains unknown.

Alternative products to control Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in soybean / Produtos alternativos no controle de Sclerotinia sclerotiorum na cultura da soja

The aim of this study was to evaluate different alternative products, foliar sprayed either alone or in combination with fungicide fluazinam, to control white mold in soybean at three locations: Arapoti, Mauá-da-Serra, and Pinhão, in Paraná state, southern Brazil. The following chemical products were used: sodium dichloroisocyanurate, benzalkonium chloride, pyroligneous extract, sodium hypochlorite, cobalt + molybdenum, sucrose, sodium bicarbonate and acibenzolar-S-methyl. Incidence, severity, yield, and number of sclerotia produced were analyzed. The majority of the variables did not follow the normal distribution of the data according to the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test; therefore, the use of non-parametric analysis was necessary. The analysis of all the treatments individually revealed no significant effects so it was decided to separate the analysis into the following groups of treatments: 'control', treatments using alternative products ('alternatives'), treatment only with fungicide ('fungicide') and treatments with alternative products and fungicide ('alternatives + fungicide'). In Arapoti, no significant differences for any variables were observed. In Mauá-da-Serra, the 'fungicide' and 'alternatives + fungicide' had the lowest incidence and number of sclerotia, with higher yield when compared to 'control' and 'alternatives'. No differences were observed for severity. In Pinhão, the 'fungicide' and 'alternatives + fungicide' were superior for incidence, number of sclerotia produced, and yield when compared to the 'control' and 'alternatives'. The 'alternatives + fungicide' showed significantly lower severity when compared to the control, 'alternatives' and 'fungicide' in Pinhão experiment. In conclusion, the alternative products applied in combination with fluazinam resulted in lower severity of white mold in soybean in the experiment conducted in Pinhão, and the application of fluazinam alone or in combination with alternative products, was efficient to control white mold in soybean in locations with high disease incidence.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar diferentes produtos alternativos pulverizados via foliar, isoladamente ou em combinação com o fungicida fluazinam para o controle do mofo branco na cultura da soja, em três locais: Arapoti, PR, Mauá-da-Serra, PR e Pinhão, PR, Brasil. Os produtos utilizadas foram: dicloroisocianurato de sódio, cloreto de benzalcônio, extrato pirolenhoso, hipoclorito de sódio, cobalto + molibdenio, sacarose, bicarbonato de sódio e acibenzolar-S-metil. As variáveis analisadas foram incidência, severidade, rendimento e o número de escleródios produzidos. A maioria das variáveis não segue a distribuição normal dos dados conforme o teste Kolmogorov-Smirnov, assim sendo, o uso de testes não-paramétricos se fez necessário. A análise de todos os tratamentos individualmente não revelou efeitos significativos, onde optou-se por separar a análise em grupos de tratamentos, onde a testemunha foi denominada "controle"; os tratamentos com os produtos alternativos como "alternativos", o tratamento com o fungicida isolado como "fungicida" e os tratamentos com produtos alternativos e fungicida foi denominado "alternativos + fungicidas". Em Arapoti, não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significantes em nenhuma das variáveis analisadas. Em Mauá-da-Serra, os grupos 'fungicida' e 'alternativos + fungicida', apresentaram a menor incidência e número de escleródios, com maior rendimento quando comparados aos grupos 'controle' e 'alternativos'. Não foram observadas diferenças na severidade. Em Pinhão, os grupos 'fungicida' e 'alternativos + fungicida' foram estatisticamente superiores para incidência, número de escleródios produzidos e rendimento, quando comparados aos grupos 'controle' e 'alternativos'. O grupo 'alternativo + fungicida' apresentou severidade significativamente menor quando comparado aos grupos 'controle', 'alternativos' e 'fungicida' no experimento conduzido em Pinhão. Como conclusões, observou-se que os produtos alternativos aplicados em associação com o fungicida fluazinam proporcionaram menor severidade do mofo branco na cultura da soja no experimento conduzido em Pinhão, PR, e a aplicação do fungicida fluazinam isolado ou em associação com os produtos alternativos foi eficiente no controle do mofo branco na cultura da soja nos locais com alta incidência da doença.

Influência de herbicidas e fungicidas na germinação carpogênica de escleródios de Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib. ) de Bary / Influence of herbicides and fungicides in the carpogenic germination of sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib. ) de Bary

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum é um fungo polífago apresentando mais de 400 espécies hospedeiras. No Brasil relata-se que sua ocorrência tenha aumentado a partir da safra 2003/2004 em função do uso de sementes infectadas, falta de rotação de culturas, entre outras causas. Nos EUA, há relatos que o aumento da doença também tenha ocorrido devido à redução no uso de herbicidas do grupo das triazinas na cultura do milho, em rotação. Alguns trabalhos relatam que esse herbicida atua na formação de apotécios anormais e na inibição da produção de ascósporos. Frente a isso o presente trabalho objetivou o estudo do efeito de 12 herbicidas e 5 fungicidas sobre a germinação carpogênica de S. sclerotiorum. O trabalho foi conduzido em laboratório na Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa. Em caixas tipo gerbox foram colocados 80 gramas de substrato e 20 escleródios. A aplicação foi realizada utilizando um volume de calda de 400 L ha-1. Após a aplicação as caixas foram acondicionadas em ambiente controlado (20°C e fotoperíodo de 12 horas). Os tratamentos utilizados foram: glifosato, lactofen, atrazina, setoxidim, diuron, diuron + paraquat, imazaquim, trifluralina, diclofop metílico, clorimuron etílico, metribuzim e imazetapir (herbicidas) e fluazinam, procimidone, carbendazim, dimoxystrobin + boscalid e tiofanato metílico (fungicidas). Aos 36 dias após a aplicação foi realizada uma contagem do número de escleródios germinados, número de estipes e número de apotécios por escleródio. Para os dados de germinação de escleródios, foi constatado que somente dimoxystrobin + boscalid apresentou germinação inferior a 70%. Os demais tratamentos apresentaram germinação superior a 83%. Para número de estipes formadas por escleródio foi constatado que todos os tratamentos apresentaram de duas a quatro estipes por escleródio. Foi observado que os tratamentos com dimoxystrobin + boscalid, tiofanato metílico e carbendazim apresentaram as menores taxas de diferenciação de estipes em apotécios, ou seja, constatou-se a formação de estipes inviáveis. No tratamento com dimoxystrobin + boscalid foi constatado uma viabilidade de apenas 34,56% de suas estipes. Os resultados aqui apresentados mostram que a aplicação antecipada desses tratamentos pode ser realizada visando atingir a fonte de inóculo (escleródios) no solo, reduzindo o potencial de infecção dos mesmos e consequentemente sua incidência sobre culturas.

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a pathogenic fungus with over 400 host species. In Brazil, it is reported that its occurrence has increased since the 2003-2004 growing season due to use of infected seed, lack of crop rotation, and several other factors. In the United States, reports suggest that the disease increase has occurred due to reduced use of herbicides from the triazine group on corn in rotation with soybean. Reports show that these herbicides affect S. sclerotiorum, causing the formation of abnormal apothecia and inhibiting ascospore production. Because of the possible linkage with herbicide use, a study was designed to examine the effect of 12 herbicides and 5 fungicides on the carpogenic germination of S. sclerotiorum. This work was performed at Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa. Eighty grams of sterilized field soil and 20 sclerotia, placed on the soil surface, were added to "gerbox" boxes. Chemicals were applied once using a rate of 400 L ha-1. After application, boxes were incubated in a controlled environment (20°C with a photoperiod of 12 hours). The treatments used were: glyphosate, lactofen, atrazine, sethoxydim, diuron, diuron + paraquat, imazaquin, trifluralin, diclofop methyl, chrlorimuron ethyl, metribuzin and imazethapyr (herbicides) and fluazinam, procymidone, carbendazim, dimoxystrobin + boscalid and thiophanate methyl (fungicides). The number of germinated sclerotia, stipes and apothecia was recorded 36 days after chemical application. For sclerotia germination, only dimoxystrobin + boscalid reduced germination below 70%. All other treatments had greater than 83% sclerotia germination. The number of stipes produced per sclerotium was constant for all treatments (two to four stipes per sclerotium). Dimoxystrobin + boscalid, thiophanate methyl and carbendazim had the lowest level of apothecia formation, which means inviable stipes were formed. For the treatment of dimoxystrobin + boscalid, only 34.56% of stipes developed into mature apothecia. The results of this study demonstrate that application of herbicides did not affect the sclerotia of S. sclerotiorum. Three of the five fungicide tested in this trial, dimoxystrobin + boscalid, thiophanate methyl and carbendazim, can reduce inoculum on the soil, which, in turn, would likely reduce disease incidence in the following crop.