Pseudomonas floridensis sp. nov., a bacterial pathogen isolated from tomato

Pseudomonas californiensis sp. nov. and Pseudomonas quasicaspiana sp. nov., isolated from ornamental crops in California

Five bacterial strains were isolated from symptomatic leaves of Achillea millefolium, Delphinium sp. and Hydrangea sp. in California. Colonies isolated on King’s medium B (KMB) appeared white, mucoid and round, similar to Pseudomonas species. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA, rpoB, rpoD and gyrB genes placed the bacteria into three distinct groups within Pseudomonas that were most closely related to Pseudomonas viridiflava , Pseudomonas cichorii or Pseudomonas caspiana . To further characterize the strains, phenotypic analyses and the following tests were performed: fatty acid methyl ester composition, LOPAT, fluorescence on KMB, Biolog assay, and transmission electron microscopy. Finally, whole genome sequencing of the strains was conducted, and the sequences were compared with reference genomes of Pseudomonas species based on average nucleotide identity (ANI). The first group, which consists of three strains isolated from delphinium, hydrangea and achillea, had 95.6–96.9 % pairwise ANI between each other; the second group consists of two strains isolated from delphinium that had 100 % pairwise ANI. Although comparisons of the two groups with publicly available genomes revealed closest relationships with P. viridiflava (91.6 %), P. caspiana (88.3 %) and P. asturiensis (86.7 %), ANI values were less than 95 % compared to all validly published pseudomonads. Combining genomic and phenotypic data, we conclude that these strains represent two new species and the names proposed are Pseudomonas quasicaspiana sp. nov. (type strain DSMZ 11 30 42T=LMG 32 434T) for the strains isolated from delphinium, achillea and hydrangea and Pseudomonas californiensis sp. nov. (DSMZ 11 30 43T=LMG 32 432T) for the two strains isolated from delphinium. The specific epithets quasicaspiana and californiensis were selected based on the close phylogenetic relationship of strains with P. caspiana and on the geographic location of isolation, respectively.

Metabacillus rhizolycopersici sp. nov., Isolated from the Rhizosphere Soil of Tomato Plants

A Gram-positive, endospore-forming, rod-shaped and aerobic bacterium, with swarming and swimming motility, designated strain DBTR6^T, was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of tomato plants. Strain DBTR6^T grew at 20-45 ℃ (optimum 30-37℃), pH 4-9 (optimum 7-8) and at salinities from 0 to 5% (optimum 1%). Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences showed this strain belonged to the genus Metabacillus and was most closely related to Metabacillus litoralis DSM 16303 ^T (98.3%) and Metabacillus sediminilitoris MCCC 1K03777^T (98.3%). The DNA G + C content of the genomic DNA was 36.4%. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization value between strain DBTR6^T and reference strains M. sediminilitoris MCCC 1K03777^T and "M. bambusae" BG109^T were less than 70% (26.7% and 26.0%), and the average nucleotide identity score were less than 95% (78.55% and 78.38%), and the Amino Acid Identity values calculated were less than 96% (79.99% and 80.18%), respectively, suggesting that strain DBTR6^T represented a novel species in the genus Metabacillus. Chemotaxonomic analysis showed that strain DBTR6^T contained MK-7 as the major respiratory quinone. The predominant fatty acids (> 10.0%) were iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_15:0 and C_16:0. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), glycolipids (GL) and three unidentified lipids (L). Based on the differential physiological properties, biochemical characteristics and genotypic data, strain DBTR6^T represents a novel species of the genus Metabacillus, for which the name Metabacillus rhizolycopersici sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DBTR6^T (= ACCC 61900 ^T = JCM 35080 ^T).

Pseudomonas tumuqii sp. nov., isolated from greenhouse soil

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped and motile bacterium, named LAMW06^T, was isolated from greenhouse soil in Beijing, China. In the 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison, strain LAMW06^T had the highest similarity with Pseudomonas cuatrocienegasensis 1N^T. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA and three housekeeping gene sequences (gyrB, rpoB and rpoD) indicated that strain represented a member of the genus Pseudomonas. The genome sequence size of the isolate was 5.5 Mb, with a DNA G + C content of 63.5 mol%. The average nucleotide identity and DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain LAMW06^T and closely related members of Pseudomonas borbori R-20821^T, Pseudomonas taeanensis MS-3^T and P. cuatrocienegasensis 1N^T were 90.9%, 82.4%, 81.5% and 43.0%, 25.9%, 24.6% respectively. The major fatty acids contained summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω6c and/or C_16:1 ω7c), C_18:1 ω7c and C_16:0. The primary respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-9. The main polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, six aminophospholipids, six phospholipids, one aminolipid and one glycolipid. According to the genotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic data, strain LAMW06^T represents a novel species within the genus Pseudomonas, for which the name Pseudomonas tumuqii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LAMW06^T (= GDMCC 1.2003^T = KCTC 72829^T).

Pseudomonas uvaldensis sp. nov., a bacterial pathogen causing onion bulb rot

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic and non-spore-forming bacterial strain, designated 20TX0172^T, was isolated from a rotting onion bulb in Texas, USA. The results of phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA sequence indicated that the novel strain represented a member of the genus Pseudomonas and had the greatest sequence similarities with Pseudomonas kilonensis 520-20^T (99.3 %), Pseudomonas corrugata CFBP 2431^T (99.2 %), and Pseudomonas viciae 11K1^T (99.2 %) but the 16S rRNA phylogenetic tree displayed a monophyletic clade with Pseudomonas mediterranea CFBP 5447^T. In the phylogenetic trees based on sequences of four housekeeping genes (gap1, gltA, gyrB and rpoD), the novel strain formed a separate branch, indicating that the strain was distinct phylogenetically from known species of the genus Pseudomonas. The genome-sequence-derived average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between the novel isolate and P. mediterranea DSM 16733^T were 86.7 and 32.7 %, respectively. These values were below the accepted species cutoff threshold of 96 % ANI and 70 % dDDH, affirming that the strain represented a novel species. The genome size of the novel species was 5.98 Mbp with a DNA G+C content of 60.8 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain 20TX0172^T represents a novel species of the genus Pseudomonas. The name Pseudomonas uvaldensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 20TX0172^T (=NCIMB 15426^T=CIP 112022^T).

Harnessing Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics of Xanthomonads on Tomato and Pepper to Tackle New Problems of an Old Disease

Bacterial spot is an endemic seedborne disease responsible for recurring outbreaks on tomato and pepper around the world. The disease is caused by four diverse species, Xanthomonas gardneri, Xanthomonas euvesicatoria, Xanthomonas perforans, and Xanthomonas vesicatoria. There are no commercially available disease-resistant tomato varieties, and the disease is managed by chemical/biological control options, although these have not reduced the incidence of outbreaks. The disease on peppers is managed by disease-resistant cultivars that are effective against X. euvesicatoria but not X. gardneri. A significant shift in composition and prevalence of different species and races of the pathogen has occurred over the past century. Here, I attempt to review ecological and evolutionary processes associated with the population dynamics leading to disease emergence and spread. The goal of this review is to integrate the knowledge on population genomics and molecular plant-microbe interactions for this pathosystem to tailor disease management strategies.

Pseudomonas capsici sp. nov., a plant-pathogenic bacterium isolated from pepper leaf in Georgia, USA

Three phytopathogenic bacterial strains (Pc19-1^T, Pc19-2 and Pc19-3) were isolated from seedlings displaying water-soaked, dark brown-to-black, necrotic lesions on pepper (Capsicum annuum) leaves in Georgia, USA. Upon isolation on King’s medium B, light cream-coloured colonies were observed and a diffusible fluorescent pigment was visible under ultraviolet light. Analysis of their 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that they belonged to the genus Pseudomonas, with the highest similarity to Pseudomonas cichorii ATCC 10857^T (99.7 %). The fatty acid analysis revealed that the majority of the fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C_{16  :  1} ω7c/C_{16  :  1} ω6c), C_{16  :  0} and summed feature 8 (C_{18  :  1} ω7c/C_{18  :  1} ω6c). Phylogenomic analyses based on whole genome sequences demonstrated that the pepper strains belonged to the Pseudomonas syringae complex with P. cichorii as their closest neighbour, and formed a separate monophyletic clade from other species. Between the pepper strains and P. cichorii, the average nucleotide identity values were 91.3 %. Furthermore, the digital DNA–DNA hybridization values of the pepper strains when compared to their closest relatives, including P. cichorii, were 45.2 % or less. In addition, biochemical and physiological features were examined in this study and the results indicate that the pepper strains represent a novel Pseudomonas species. Therefore, we propose a new species Pseudomonas capsici sp. nov., with Pc19-1^T (=CFBP 8884^T=LMG 32209^T) as the type strain. The DNA G+C content of the strain Pc19-1^T is 58.4 mol%.

Draft Genome Sequences of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato Strains J4 and J6, Isolated in Florida

Pseudomonas syringae pv. Tomato causes bacterial speck in tomato. We report the genome sequences of two P. syringae pv. Tomato strains, J4 and J6, that are genetically closely related, with >99.9 average nucleotide identity (ANI), but vary in the presence of coronatine-associated genes.

Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato causes bacterial speck in tomato. We report the genome sequences of two P. syringae pv. tomato strains, J4 and J6, that are genetically closely related, with >99.9 average nucleotide identity (ANI), but vary in the presence of coronatine-associated genes.

Pseudomonas laoshanensis sp. nov., isolated from peanut field soil

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic strain, designated Y22^T, was isolated from peanut field soil in Laoshan Mountain in China. Cells of strain Y22^T were rod-shaped and motile by a single flagellum. The strain was found to be oxidase- and catalase-positive. 16S rRNA gene sequence based on phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain Y22^T belonged to the genus Pseudomonas, and showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 99.0% to Pseudomonas pelagia JCM 15562^T, followed by Pseudomonas salina JCM 19469^T (98.4%), Pseudomonas sabulinigri JCM 14963^T (97.9%), Pseudomonas bauzanensis CGMCC 1.9095^T (97.6%) and Pseudomonas litoralis KCTC23093^T (97.5%). The phylogenetic analysis based on multilocus sequence analyses with concatenated 16S rRNA, gyrB, rpoD and rpoB genes indicated that strain Y22^T belonged to Pseudomonas pertucinogena lineage. The average nucleotide identity scores between strain Y22^T and closely related species were 74.6-82.8%, and the Genome-to-Genome Distance Calculator scores were 16.4-44.9%. The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain Y22^T were C_18:1ω7c (29.6%), C_17:0 cyclo (17.5%) and summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω7c and/or C_16:1ω6c) (17.4%). The genomic DNA G+C content was 57.9 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic analyses and in silico DNA-DNA relatedness, a novel species, Pseudomonas laoshanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Y22^T (= JCM 32580^T = KCTC 62385^T = CGMCC 1.16552^T).

Identification of Pseudomonas Isolates Associated With Bacterial Canker of Stone Fruit Trees in the Western Cape, South Africa

Bacterial canker is a common bacterial disease of stone fruit trees. The causal agents responsible for the disease include several pathovars in Pseudomonas syringae sensu lato and newly described Pseudomonas species. Pseudomonad strains were isolated from symptomatic stone fruit trees, namely apricot, peach, and plum trees cultivated in spatially separated orchards in the Western Cape. A polyphasic approach was used to identify and characterize these strains. Using a multilocus sequence typing approach of four housekeeping loci, namely cts, gapA, gyrB, and rpoD, the pseudomonad strains were delineated into two phylogenetic groups within P. syringae sensu lato: P. syringae sensu stricto and Pseudomonas viridiflava. These results were further supported by LOPAT diagnostic assays and analysis of clades in the rep-PCR dendrogram. The pseudomonad strains were pathogenic on both apricot and plum seedlings, indicative of a lack of host specificity between Pseudomonas strains infecting Prunus spp. This is a first report of P. viridiflava isolated from plum trees showing symptoms of bacterial canker. P. viridiflava is considered to be an opportunistic pathogen that causes foliar diseases of vegetable crops, fruit trees, and aromatic herbs, and thus the isolation of pathogenic P. viridiflava from twigs of plum trees showing symptoms of bacterial canker suggests that this bacterial species is a potentially emerging stem canker pathogen of stone fruit trees in South Africa.

Pseudomonas nitrititolerans sp. nov., a nitrite-tolerant denitrifying bacterium isolated from a nitrification/denitrification bioreactor

A nitrite-tolerant denitrifying bacterium, strain GL14^T, was isolated from the nitrification/denitrification bioreactor in our laboratory. Strain GL14^T was Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, facultatively anaerobic and motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that it was assigned to the genus Pseudomonas with highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (98.77 %) to Pseudomonas xanthomarina DSM 18231^T and Pseudomonassongnenensis NEAU-ST5-5^T, followed by Pseudomonasstutzeri ATCC 17588^T (98.42 %), Pseudomonaskunmingensis HL22-2^T (98.29 %) and Pseudomonaszhaodongensis NEAU-ST5-21^T (98.22 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on both concatenated sequences of the 16S rRNA gene and two housekeeping genes (gyrB and rpoD) and genome sequences further clarified the intrageneric phylogenetic position of strain GL14^T. The DNA G+C content of GL14^T was 63.1 mol%. The results of digital DNA-DNA hybridization (highest 24.2 % of DNA-DNA relatedness) based on the Genome-to-Genome Distance Calculator and average nucleotide identity analyses (highest 80.23 %) confirmed that the strain was distinctly delineated from known species of the genus Pseudomonas. The major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c), C16 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c), C17 : 0cyclo and C12 : 0. The respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-9. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. Based on the phylogenetic, genomic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses, it was concluded that strain GL14^T represents a novel species of the genus Pseudomonas, for which the name Pseudomonas nitrititolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GL14^T (=CGMCC 1.13874^T=NBRC 113853^T).