PLANT PATHOGENIC BACTERIUM XYLELLA FASTIDIOSA IN ALABAMA: DISTRIBUTION, EVOLUTION, AND NOVEL CONTROL METHODS

Bacterial pathogens cause multiple losses in agricultural production nationwide, and specifically in the Southeast and the state of Alabama. The major goal of this HATCH proposal is understanding the basis of bacterial host adaptation and evolution. This is important to develop measurements to avoid emergence of virulent pathogens in certain areas. Basic aspects of natural transformation and infection processes are relevant to understand the conditions conducive to bacterial infection and the design of new methods of control. Xylella fastidiosa is a very important pathogen here in the U.S., but also causes multi-million losses in Europe, South America and Asia. Bacterial leaf scorch in blueberry, an emergent disease in Southeastern U.S. can become one of the greatest hurdles to the thriving blueberry industry in this area; therefore, understanding the basis of this disease will be crucial to prevent future increased problems. The information acquired during this research will be the basis for innovative and unique methods of bacterial disease control. The research will have a great impact in the Alabama agricultural industry and has the potential to be influential worldwide.Objectives:To gain an understanding the basis of evolution in the plant pathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa.To determine Xylella fastidiosa pathogen population structure in blueberry and other hosts in Alabama.To assess novel nanoparticles to control vascular plant pathogenic bacteria. ?