Genomic analysis identifies five pathogenic bacterial species in Argentinian wheat

Abstract

Bacterial diseases significantly impact wheat production worldwide, leading to yield losses ranging from 10 to 40% under diverse climatic conditions. This study aimed to investigate the genomic diversity of bacterial species associated with foliar lesions on wheat in Argentina. Forty foliar lesions from ten plants were collected and a total of forty strains were isolated. Five pathogenic bacterial species were isolated from the lesions, and their genomes were sequenced and assembled. Species identities were confirmed through average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) comparisons with type species. The isolated species were identified as follows: Pantoea ananatis ARGTR 1–1 (98% ANI, 82% dDDH), Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens ARGTR 5–2 (98% ANI, 90% dDDH), Xanthomonas translucens pv. undulosa ARGTR 7–1 (100% ANI, 99% dDDH), Clavibacter tessellarius ARGTR 8–1 (98% ANI, 97% dDDH), and Pseudomonas syringae pv. atrofaciens ARGTR 9–1 (99% ANI, 91% dDDH). It was notable that Xanthomonas translucens pv. undulosa ARGTR 7–1 and Clavibacter tessellarius ARGTR 8–1 were isolated from the same plant. This study provides a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis and whole-genome data of these bacterial pathogens, establishing a basis for omics-based approaches to explore genetic diversity and virulence mechanisms. These findings would contribute to the development of strategies aimed at improving wheat health and productivity in the presence of bacterial diseases.