Population dynamics of Xanthomonas axonopodis PV. phaseoli,causal agent of bean common bacterial blight, in the rhizosphere of weeds

• Grant number: 16/16596-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): November 01, 2016
• Effective date (End): October 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Tadeu Antônio Fernandes da Silva Júnior
• Grantee: Matheus Carlos Leandrin
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação. Universidade do Sagrado Coração (USC). Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is one of the main foods consumed in Brazil, and an important component of the diet of the population, due to the high values of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, fiber and minerals. Due to the wide edaphoclimatic adaptation, the crop can be explored in three different seasons, highlighting Brazil as one of the largest producers and consumers of beans. However, the Brazilian average productivity is very low, especially due to the low level of technification of farmers and the high incidence of pests and diseases. The common bacterial blight, caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli (Xap), is a major bean disease in most producing countries, including Brazil, and low information is known about its host range. This research project will be the first developed under Brazilian conditions to evaluate the survival of Xap in the rhizosphere of weeds that frequently occurs in bean crop fields. To achieve this objective, a Xap strain resistant to rifampicin will be used, and the quantification of Xap in the weeds will be performed in semi-selective culture. The experiments will be conducted and repeated during 2016 and 2017 to determine the influence of climatic conditions on the Xap survivability. We expect to identify new species of weeds that are hosts of Xap. This information is very importance to the efficient management of the bean common bacterial blight.