Grapevine xylem sap enhances biofilm development by Xylella fastidiosa
by
Paulo A. Zaini, Leonardo De La Fuente, Harvey C. Hoch & Thomas J. Burr
Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University, Geneva, NY, USA
Abstract
Xylella fastidiosa is able to form biofilms within xylem vessels of many economically
important crops. Vessel blockage is believed to be a major contributor to
disease development caused by this bacterium. This report shows that Vitis riparia
xylem sap increases growth rate and induces a characteristic biofilm architecture as
compared with biofilms formed in PD2 and PWmedia. In addition, stable cultures
could be maintained, frozen and reestablished in xylem sap. These findings are
important as xylem sap provides a natural medium that facilitates the identification
of virulence determinants of Pierce’s disease.
Keywords
Xylella ; Pierce’s disease; grapevine xylem sap; biofilm; Vitis.
