Growth Dynamics and Survival of Liberibacter crescens BT-1, an Important Model Organism for the Citrus Huanglongbing Pathogen “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus”

• Marta Sena-Vélez ^[1] ; Sean D. Holland ^[1] ; Manu Aggarwal ^[1] ; Nick G. Cogan ^[1] ; Mukesh Jain ^[2] ; Dean W. Gabriel ^[2] ; Kathryn M. Jones ^[1]
  1. [1] Florida State University

     Florida State University

     Estados Unidos

     
  2. [2] University of Florida

     University of Florida

     Estados Unidos

     
• Localización: Applied and Environmental Microbiology, ISSN 0099-2240, Vol. 85, Nº 21, 2019
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Liberibacter crescens is a bacterium that is closely related to plant pathogens that have caused billions of dollars in crop losses in recent years. Particularly devastating are citrus losses due to citrus greening disease, also known as Huanglongbing, which is caused by “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus” and carried by the Asian citrus psyllid. L. crescens is the only close relative of “Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus” that can currently be grown in culture, and it therefore serves as an important model organism for the growth, genetic manipulation, and biological control of the pathogenic species. Here, we show that one of the greatest limitations to L. crescens growth is the sharp increase in alkaline conditions it produces as a consequence of consumption of its preferred nutrient source. In addition to new information about L. crescens growth and metabolism, we provide new guidelines for culture conditions that improve the survival and yield of L. crescens.