Characterization of Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains isolated from grapevine

Abstract

Grapevine crown gall is predominantly induced by Agrobacterium vitis, but rarely, Agrobacterium tumefaciens may also cause this disease. We have collected 18 grapevine isolates of A. tumefaciens from distinct geographical regions and various grapevine varieties. Characterization of these strains showed that 7 of the 18 strains carried A. vitis-type octopine/cucumopine Ti plasmids, utilized tartrate, were avirulent on pea and did not respond to the virC-specific PCR primers like A. vitis. Eleven of the 18 strains carried A. tumefaciens-type Ti plasmids, did not grow on tartrate, were virulent on pea and reacted positively to virC-specific PCR primers. Two of these strains induced octopine/agropine-, and two strains induced agropine producing tumors on grapevine and/or Kalanchoe tubiflora plants. The remaining 7 strains showed the characteristic properties of A. tumefaciens nopaline strains and were sensitive to agrocin 84.