Bacterial Canker Disease on Populus × euramericana Caused by Lonsdalea populi in Serbia

• DOI: 10.3390/f11101080
• Publication Date: 2020-10-09T14:19:23Z
• Authors: Milica Zlatković; Imola Tenorio-Bai...; Tamás Lakatos; Tímea Tóth; András Koltay; Predrag Pap; Miroslav Marković; Saša Orlović
• Keywords: Canker; Cutting

Populus × euramericana (Dode) Guinier clone (cl.) “I-214” is a fast-growing interspecific hybrid between Eastern cottonwood (P. deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh) and European black poplar (Populus nigra L.). was introduced into Serbia in the 1950s has become one of most widely grown species. In September 2019, cankers were observed on stems branches P. cl. trees two-year-old plantation province Vojvodina, Serbia. The canker tissue soft watery, colorless fluid that smelled rotten flowed from cracks bark, suggesting possible bacterial disease. After two weeks, diseased experienced crown die-back oozing foamy, odorous exudates this study aimed to identify causal agent Canker margins collected 20 symptomatic trees. associated bacterium isolated identified using biochemical characteristics, phylogenetic analyses based 16S rRNA gene sequences, multilocus sequence (MLSA) partial sequencing three housekeeping genes (gyrB, infB, atpD). pathogen as Lonsdalea populi. Pathogenicity tests conducted rooted cuttings an environmental test chamber demonstrated strain able reproduce symptoms softened, water-soaked exudation. To best our knowledge, first report L. populi causing disease southeastern Europe (SEE). It also poplars, including country SEE. If spreads new areas, selection for resistance may need be integrated future breeding programs.