Participation of <i>Xanthomonas axonopodis</i> pv. <i>citri hrp</i> cluster in citrus canker and nonhost plant responses

Abstract

The participation of the Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri hypersensitive response and pathogenicity ( hrp ) cluster in interactions with host and nonhost plants was characterized in pathogenicity and avirulence models. The hrp cluster encodes the type III secretion system indispensable for trafficking of proteins to the plant cell. Mutations in operons hrpB and hrpD and the hrpF gene failed to produce canker in citrus plants or hypersensitive response in cotton plants. The interaction of the phytopathogen with various nonhost plants has been characterized . The results showed that the hypersensitive response is activated in leaves of cotton, bean, tobacco, tomato, pepper and Nicotiana benthamiana , and that genes present in operons hrpB and hrpD and the hrpF gene are required for pathogenicity in hosts and induction of the hypersensitive response in nonhost plants.