Suppression Of Plant Pathogens Research Articles

Characterization of lpaH2 gene corresponding to lipopeptide synthesis in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens HAB-2

BackgroundBacillus spp. have prominent ability to suppress plant pathogens and corresponding diseases. Previous analyses of Bacillus spp. revealed numerous gene clusters involved in nonribosomal synthesis of cyclic lipopeptides with distinct antimicrobial action. The 4′-phosphopantetheinyl transferase (PPTase) encoded by sfp gene is a key factor in lipopeptide synthesis in Bacillus spp. In previous study, B. amyloliquefaciens strain HAB-2 was found to inhibit a broad range of plant pathogens, which was attributed to its secondary metabolite lipopeptide.ResultsA sfp homologue lpaH2 which encoded phosphopantetheinyl transferase but shared 71% sequence similarity was detected in strain HAB-2. Disruption of lpaH2 gene resulted in losing the ability of strain HAB-2 to produce lipopeptide, as well as antifungal and hemolytic activities. When lpaH2 replaced sfp gene of B. subtilis strain 168, a non-lipopeptide producer, the genetically engineered strain 168 could produced lipopeptides and recovered antifungal activity. Quantitative PCR assays indicated that, the expression level of lpaH2 in B. subtilis 168 strain decrease to 0.27-fold compared that of the wild type B. amyloliquefaciens strain HAB-2.ConclusionFew studies have reported about lpa gene which can replace sfp gene in the different species. Taken together, our study showed for the first time that lpaH2 from B. amyloliquefaciens could replace sfp gene.

Harnessing the microbiomes of Brassica vegetables for health issues

Plant health is strongly connected with plants´ microbiome. In case of raw-eaten plants, the microbiome can also affect human health. To study potential impacts on health issues of both hosts, the microbiome composition of seven different Brassica vegetables, originating from different food processing pathways, was analyzed by a combined approach of amplicon sequencing, metagenomic mining and cultivation. All Brassica vegetables harbored a highly diverse microbiota as identified by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The composition of the microbiota was found to be rather driven by the plant genotype than by the processing pathway. We characterized isolates with potential cancer-preventing properties by tracing myrosinase activity as well as isolates with biological control activity towards plant pathogens. We identified a novel strain with myrosinase activity and we found bacterial myrosinase genes to be enriched in rhizosphere and phyllosphere metagenomes of Brassica napus and Eruca sativa in comparison to the surrounding soil. Strains which were able to suppress plant pathogens were isolated from naturally processed vegetables and represent a substantial part (4.1%) of all vegetable microbiomes. Our results shed first light on the microbiome of edible plants and open the door to harnessing the Brassica microbiome for plant disease resistance and human health.

A Road Map to Finding Microbiomes that Most Contribute to Plant and Soil Health

The human eye does not have sufficient resolution to unravel the mysteries of soil and plant health. Corn is one of the major grains grown in Canada. The proposed maximum theoretical yield of corn is 450-500 bu/acre, but average growers are producing 150 bu/acre. The main aim of this study is to understand the factors associated with soil health and plant productivity beyond the cropping system and practices. We measure the aspects of soil physical, chemical properties and differences in microorganism communities will be related to yield responses collected from plants harvested from 40 diverse sites across Ontario using aerial infrared photography to identify sections of fields where plants appear healthy or stressed (as we discovered that when corn plants were randomly selected for testing, their microbiomes were quite similar). In this way, we hope to identify some of the primary reasons that confer the unevenness in crop yield seen across the same field when the same farm inputs had been applied. Such findings will be used to improve low production sites, thereby increasing overall yields significantly. Based on results from our previous studies we hypothesized that the difference in the plant productivity at different sites are due the abundance and diversity of microbial communities, and the impacts of their specific activities such as nitrogen fixation, phosphorous solubilisation, root growth promotion, and suppression of plant pathogens. The ratio of different soil chemical parameters affects microbial community richness and diversity in many ways. The study results will be integral in our understanding of the microbial community structures that influence crop productivity either negatively or positively. We expect to find out who are the key microorganisms and their roles in corn growth and productivity. Our initial analysis of data generated through TRFLP and next generation based sequencing of microbial communities showed, the endophytic microbial communities were distinct between low and high producing sites across most of the field sites tested. The high producing area had significantly higher bacterial richness and less diversity than the low producing area. Initial correlation analysis revealed potential positive interactions between the general fertility index, potassium to magnesium ratio, the gram negative and nitrogen fixer bacterial communities with yield and yield related parameters. Taken together, the corn sap bacterial community composition and richness was greatly influenced by soil chemical properties, which may indicate shifts in their functionality despite equal levels of total bacterial loads. The talk will identify factors associated with high and poor yielding sites and how this relates to soil and crop health.

Phylogeny, Plant Species, and Plant Diversity Influence Carbon Use Phenotypes AmongFusariumPopulations in the Rhizosphere Microbiome

Carbon use by microorganisms in the rhizosphere microbiome has been linked to plant pathogen suppression and increased mineralization of soil nutrients for plant uptake; however, factors that influence carbon use traits are poorly understood for most microbial groups. This work characterized the relationships of phylogeny, plant species, and plant diversity with carbon use among fungi in the genus Fusarium from rhizosphere soil. Eighty-four randomly collected Fusarium isolates were cultured from the rhizosphere of the perennial plants Lespedeza capitata and Andropogon gerardii, maintained as long-term monocultures or growing in 16-plant species polycultures. For each isolate, a portion of the RPB2 locus was sequenced for phylogenetic analyses and growth on 95 carbon substrates was measured using Biolog SF-P2 plates. Similarity in carbon use among isolates decreased with increasing genetic distance and there were differences in niche width (i.e., number of carbon substrates used) and growth on preferred substrates (i.e., mean growth on the five carbon substrates supporting the greatest growth) among isolates within two predominant phylogenetic clades. Carbon use also varied with plant species and the diversity of the surrounding plant community. Within each of the two predominant clades, niche width was greater among Fusarium isolates from the rhizosphere of L. capitata than A. gerardii. The correspondence of phylogeny with carbon use suggests changes in Fusarium community composition may lead to the differential use of carbon substrates in the rhizosphere, while the effects of plant species and diversity suggest variation in plants communities may also correspond to variation in carbon use by these fungi. In addition, the consistent effect of plant species on niche width within different clades provides evidence that the rhizosphere environment of the two plants selects for particular traits, rather than promoting the presence of clades with those traits. Overall, this research shows the dynamics of plant and fungal communities are likely to influence carbon use in the rhizosphere and consequently processes related to this phenotype, such as soil nutrient cycling and competition for carbon among soil microbes.

Complete genome sequence of Bacillus velezensis M75, a biocontrol agent against fungal plant pathogens, isolated from cotton waste

Bacillus species have been widely used as biological control agents in agricultural fields due to their ability to suppress plant pathogens. Bacillus velezensis M75 was isolated from cotton waste used for mushroom cultivation in Korea, and was found to be antagonistic to fungal plant pathogens. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of the M75 strain, which has a 4,007,450-bp single circular chromosome with 3921 genes and a G+C content of 46.60%. The genome contained operons encoding various non-ribosomal peptide synthetases and polyketide synthases, which are responsible for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Our results will provide a better understanding of the genome of B. velezensis strains for their application as biocontrol agents against fungal plant pathogens in agricultural fields.

Hydrogen Cyanide in the Rhizosphere: Not Suppressing Plant Pathogens, but Rather Regulating Availability of Phosphate.

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria produce chemical compounds with different benefits for the plant. Among them, HCN is recognized as a biocontrol agent, based on its ascribed toxicity against plant pathogens. Based on several past studies questioning the validity of this hypothesis, we have re-addressed the issue by designing a new set of in vitro experiments, to test if HCN-producing rhizobacteria could inhibit the growth of phytopathogens. The level of HCN produced by the rhizobacteria in vitro does not correlate with the observed biocontrol effects, thus disproving the biocontrol hypothesis. We developed a new concept, in which HCN does not act as a biocontrol agent, but rather is involved in geochemical processes in the substrate (e.g., chelation of metals), indirectly increasing the availability of phosphate. Since this scenario can be important for the pioneer plants living in oligotrophic alpine environments, we inoculated HCN producing bacteria into sterile mineral sand together with germinating plants and showed that the growth of the pioneer plant French sorrel was increased on granite-based substrate. No such effect could be observed for maize, where plantlets depend on the nutrients stored in the endosperm. To support our concept, we used KCN and mineral sand and showed that mineral mobilization and phosphate release could be caused by cyanide in vitro. We propose that in oligotrophic alpine environments, and possibly elsewhere, the main contribution of HCN is in the sequestration of metals and the consequential indirect increase of nutrient availability, which is beneficial for the rhizobacteria and their plant hosts.

버섯 폐배지로부터 분리한 방선균 균주 CA-23과 AA-65균주의 키틴 분해능력과 항균력 검정

본 연구의 목적은 버섯폐배지로부터 분리한 방선균의 키틴 분해 능력과 항균활성능력을 검정하고 선발하기 위함이다. 5종류의 버섯폐배지(팽이버섯, 잎새버섯, 느타리버섯, 신령버섯, 양송이버섯) 중 신령버섯 > 양송이버섯 순으로 방선균이 분리되었다. 버섯 폐배지로부터 전체 91개의 키틴분해 방선균을 분리하였다. 분리한 91개의 균주는 키틴분해 능력과 Phytophthora capsici, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Collectotrichum gloeosporioides, Cladosporium cucumerinum 에 대한 항균력에 따라 크게 3개의 그룹으로 분류하였다. CA-23균주는 강한 키틴 분해능력과 모든 식물병원균에 대해 항균력을 보이는 대표적인 균주로 선발하였고 반면에 AA-65 균주는 키틴 분해능력은 없지만 모든 식물 병원균에 대한 강한 항균력을 보이는 대표적인 균주로 선발하였다. 실내시험에서 CA-23 균주와 AA-65 균주는 오이 역병, 흰가루병, 검은별무늬병을 효과적으로 방제하였다. CA-23 균주는 높은 방제가를 보인 반면 AA-65 균주는 병 방제효과뿐만 아니라 식물생육과 수량을 지속적으로 증가시켰다. 비록 두 균주의 식물병 방제효과 유사하지만 두 균주 사이의 작용기작은 서로 다를 것으로 사료된다. 향후 작용기작과 적용방법에 대한 추가적인 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다. The purpose of this study was to estimate the chitinolytic and antifungal activity of Actinomycetes sp.isolated from waste mushroom media. In five kinds of waste mushroom media, Sinyeong mushroom and Yangsongi were the order of the population density of actinomycetes. Totally 91 chitinolytic isolates of Actinomycetes sp. were obtained from waste mushroom media. The isolates were categorized into 3 groups based on chitinolytic activity and antagonisms against Phytophthora capsici, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Collectotrichum gloeosporioides, and Cladosporium cucumerinum in vitro. CA-23 was selected as a representative isolate of a group showing strong chitinolytic and antagonistic activities to all of the plant pathogens, while AA-65 was selected as a representative isolate showing no chitinolytic activities but strong antagonistic activities to the pathogens. CA-23 and AA-65 were highly effective on control of Phytophthora blight of hot-pepper, powdery mildew and scab of cucumber in a greenhouse tests. Among the isolates tested, CA-23 showed highest control efficacy, while AA-65 not only effectively controlled the diseases but also consistently increased plant growth and yield. Although the isolates are similarly affected on suppression of plant pathogens, the isolates could be differ from each other in modes of action. Further studies on mechanisms and practical applications are being progressed.

Study of plant pathogen suppression the synergistic effect between biofertilizer and irradiated oligochitosan of tomato

Evaluation of the synergy effect between bio-fertilizer and irradiated oligochitosan was conducted to determine the growth and yield of the test plants. Study for synergistic effect of biofertilizer and irradiated oligochitosan, some positive effect such as plant growth promoter and pathogen suppression in tomato yield in the green house pot experiment. It was guessed that oligocitosan induced resistance for seedling treated. Data showed synergistic effect using disease control intensities, In this case, synergistic effect between biofertilizer and oligochitosan is clearly positive.Mongolian Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol.15(2) 2015; 80-85

Complete genome sequence of Bacillus velezensis G341, a strain with a broad inhibitory spectrum against plant pathogens

Bacillus velezensis G341 can suppress plant pathogens by producing antagonistic active compounds including bacillomycin D, fengycin, and (oxy) difficidin. The complete genome sequence of this bacterium was characterized by one circular chromosome of 4,009,746bp with 3953 open reading frames. The genome contained 36 pseudogenes, 30 rRNA operons, and 95 tRNAs. This complete genome sequence provides an additional resource for the development of antimicrobial compounds.

Ecology of Bacillaceae

Members of the family Bacillaceae are among the most robust bacteria on Earth, which is mainly due to their ability to form resistant endospores. This trait is believed to be the key factor determining the ecology of these bacteria. However, they also perform fundamental roles in soil ecology (i.e., the cycling of organic matter) and in plant health and growth stimulation (e.g., via suppression of plant pathogens and phosphate solubilization). In this review, we describe the high functional and genetic diversity that is found within the Bacillaceae (a family of low-G+C% Gram-positive spore-forming bacteria), their roles in ecology and in applied sciences related to agriculture. We then pose questions with respect to their ecological behavior, zooming in on the intricate social behavior that is becoming increasingly well characterized for some members of Bacillaceae. Such social behavior, which includes cell-to-cell signaling via quorum sensing or other mechanisms (e.g., the production of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes, toxins, antibiotics and/or surfactants) is a key determinant of their lifestyle and is also believed to drive diversification processes. It is only with a deeper understanding of cell-to-cell interactions that we will be able to understand the ecological and diversification processes of natural populations within the family Bacillaceae. Ultimately, the resulting improvements in understanding will benefit practical efforts to apply representatives of these bacteria in promoting plant growth as well as biological control of plant pathogens.

Multi-method approach for characterizing the interaction between Fusarium verticillioides and Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. Kurstaki.

Bacterial antagonists used as biocontrol agents represent part of an integrated management program to reduce pesticides in the environment. Bacillus thuringiensis is considered a good alternative as a biocontrol agent for suppressing plant pathogens such as Fusarium. In this study, we used microscopy, flow cytometry, indirect immunofluorescence, and high performance liquid chromatography to determine the interaction between B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki LFB-FIOCRUZ (CCGB) 257 and F. verticillioides MRC 826, an important plant pathogen frequently associated with maize. B. thuringiensis showed a strong in vitro suppressive effect on F. verticillioides growth and inhibited fumonisin production. Flow cytometry analysis was found to be adequate for characterizing the fungal cell oscillations and death during these interactions. Further studies of the antagonistic effect of this isolate against other fungi and in vivo testing are necessary to determine the efficacy of B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki in controlling plant pathogens. This is the first report on the use of flow cytometry for quantifying living and apoptotic F. verticillioides cells and the B. thuringiensis Cry 1Ab toxin.

Fungal community structure in disease suppressive soils assessed by 28S LSU gene sequencing.

Natural biological suppression of soil-borne diseases is a function of the activity and composition of soil microbial communities. Soil microbe and phytopathogen interactions can occur prior to crop sowing and/or in the rhizosphere, subsequently influencing both plant growth and productivity. Research on suppressive microbial communities has concentrated on bacteria although fungi can also influence soil-borne disease. Fungi were analyzed in co-located soils ‘suppressive’ or ‘non-suppressive’ for disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG 8 at two sites in South Australia using 454 pyrosequencing targeting the fungal 28S LSU rRNA gene. DNA was extracted from a minimum of 125 g of soil per replicate to reduce the micro-scale community variability, and from soil samples taken at sowing and from the rhizosphere at 7 weeks to cover the peak Rhizoctonia infection period. A total of ∼994,000 reads were classified into 917 genera covering 54% of the RDP Fungal Classifier database, a high diversity for an alkaline, low organic matter soil. Statistical analyses and community ordinations revealed significant differences in fungal community composition between suppressive and non-suppressive soil and between soil type/location. The majority of differences associated with suppressive soils were attributed to less than 40 genera including a number of endophytic species with plant pathogen suppression potentials and mycoparasites such as Xylaria spp. Non-suppressive soils were dominated by Alternaria, Gibberella and Penicillum. Pyrosequencing generated a detailed description of fungal community structure and identified candidate taxa that may influence pathogen-plant interactions in stable disease suppression.

Enhanced root uptake of acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) by tomato plants inoculated with selected Bacillus plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)

The combination of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and plant resistance inducers is an alternative crop protection approach in modern agricultural systems. Despite the numerous reports regarding the improved suppression of plant pathogens by their combined application, little is known about the interactions among these components. In the present study, the persistence behavior of the plant activator acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) in the rhizosphere of tomato plants and its root uptake as well as systemic translocation ability in aboveground parts after combined use with certain Bacillus PGPR strains (B. amyloliquefaciens IN937a, B. pumilus SE34, B. subtilis FZB24 and GB03) were investigated. Additionally, the population dynamics of the PGPR strain B. subtilis GB03 at the tomato root system and rhizosphere soil applied with or without the pesticide were studied. The results showed that the addition of PGPR inocula did not affect the dissipation rate of ASM in rhizosphere soil. Also, the formation of its major metabolite CGA 210007 in soil was rapid, since it was detected one hour after root drench and it was maintained at high levels during the sampling period without considerable variations among the bacterial treatments compared to the control. The uptake and systemic translocation of ASM and its metabolite CGA 210007 from root to shoot was rapid and maximum concentrations were observed at 48–96 h after its application. It was revealed that in plants treated with the PGPR strains B. subtilis GB03 and B. pumilus SE34 the uptake and systemic translocation of ASM and CGA 210007 in the aerial parts of the tomato plants was significantly higher compared to the control receiving no bacterial treatment. Also, the populations of the strain B. subtilis GB03 showed high colonizing ability in the root system and the rhizosphere soil. PGPR strains that lead to enhanced pesticide uptake by plants should be further evaluated as components in integrated management systems.

Generation and Expression in Plants of a Single-Chain Variable Fragment Antibody Against the Immunodominant Membrane Protein of Candidatus Phytoplasma Aurantifolia

Witches' broom of lime is a disease caused by Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia, which represents the most significant global threat to the production of lime trees (Citrus aurantifolia). Conventional disease management strategies have shown little success, and new approaches based on genetic engineering need to be considered. The expression of recombinant antibodies and fragments thereof in plant cells is a powerful approach that can be used to suppress plant pathogens. We have developed a single-chain variable fragment antibody (scFvIMP6) against the immunodominant membrane protein (IMP) of witches' broom phytoplasma and expressed it in different plant cell compartments. We isolated scFvIMP6 from a naïve scFv phage display library and expressed it in bacteria to demonstrate its binding activity against both recombinant IMP and intact phytoplasma cells. The expression of scFvIMP6 in plants was evaluated by transferring the scFvIMP6 cDNA to plant expression vectors featuring constitutive or phloem specific promoters in cassettes with or without secretion signals, therefore causing the protein to accumulate either in the cytosol or apoplast. All constructs were transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana by agroinfiltration, and antibodies of the anticipated size were detected by immunoblotting. Plant-derived scFvIMP6 was purified by affinity chromatography, and specific binding to recombinant IMP was demonstrated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Our results indicate that scFvIMP6 binds with high activity and can be used for the detection of Ca. Phytoplasma aurantifolia and is also a suitable candidate for stable expression in lime trees to suppress witches' broom of lime.

Agricultural waste-based composts exhibiting suppressivity to diseases caused by the phytopathogenic soil-borne fungi Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia minor

On-farm composting is an efficient, environmentally safe and cost-effective process for recycle vegetable residues into productive cycles. Benefits of these composts could include their ability to mediate soil-borne plant pathogen suppression with a significant impact on eco-friendly crop management. In this work, on-farm composts were assayed for ability to control, both in vitro and in vivo, damping-off causing pathogens Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia minor. Tomato and escarole-derived compost was the most suppressive and, furthermore, together with that derived from artichoke wastes, exhibited multi-suppressive activity. Compost communities, characterized at metabolic and global levels by Biolog system, microbial counting, CO2-release and FDA hydrolysis rate, play a major role in compost-based biological control. The complete biotic inactivation by autoclaving composts, has, in fact, reduced or eliminated their ability in pathogen suppression. Solid state 13C CPMAS-NMR spectroscopy revealed that spectral areas typical for phenolic C, as well as methoxyl C, may be associated to suppressivity mechanism(s). These evidences suggested that the ecological relationships between organic carbon molecular distribution and microbial structure may contribute to discriminate suppressive composts from null and conducive ones. Nutritional microniches in compost may then have profound effects on the community functions, including those linked to the suppressiveness.

Effective microorganisms and their influence on vegetable production – a review

SummaryThis review aims to describe the nature of effective microorganisms (EM) and how EM influence the growth, yield, quality, and protection of vegetable plants. EM comprise a mixture of live natural cultures of microorganisms isolated from fertile soils that are used to improve crop production. EM technology was developed over 40 years ago by Dr. Tero Higa in Japan. How EM act and interact in the soil-plant environment to suppress plant pathogens and disease, to conserve energy, to solubilise soil minerals, to aid the balance and ecology of soil microbes, and to improve photosynthetic efficiency and biological nitrogen fixation are described. In 70% of published studies, it was concluded that EM had a positive effect on the growth of vegetables, while, in the other 30%, they had no significant influence. In this investigation, among 22 reports on the effects of EM on the yields of vegetables, 84% were positive, 4% were negative, and 12% showed no significant influence. It is concluded that EM can improve the quality and yield of vegetables by reducing the incidence of pests and diseases, and by protecting against weeds, thereby contributing to sustainable agriculture.

Insight Into Genes Involved in the Production of Extracellular Chitinase in a Biocontrol Bacterium Lysobacter enzymogenes C-3

The chitinase producing Lysobacter enzymogenes C-3 has previously been shown to suppress plant pathogens in vitro and in the field, but little is known of the regulation of chitinase production, or its role in antimicrobial activity and biocontrol. In this study, we isolated and characterized chitinase-defective mutants by screening the transposon mutants of L. enzymogenes C-3. These mutations disrupted genes involved in diverse functions: glucose-galactose transpoter (gluP), disulfide bond formation protein B (dsbB), Clp protease (clp), and polyamine synthase (speD). The chitinase production of the SpeD mutant was restored by the addition of exogenous spermidine or spermine to the bacterial cultures. The speD and clp mutants lost in vitro antifungal activities against plant fungal pathogens. However, the gluP and dsbB mutants showed similar antifungal activities to that of the wild-type. The growth of the mutants in nutrient rich conditions containing chitin was similar with that of the wild-type. However, growth of the speD and gluP mutants was defective in chitin minimal medium, but was observed no growth retardation in the clp and dsbB mutant on chitin minimal medium. In this study, we identified the four genes might be involved and play different role in the production of extracellular chitinase and antifungal activity in L. enzymogenes C-3.

Recent insights into the diversity, frequency and ecological roles of phenazines in fluorescent Pseudomonas spp.

Phenazine compounds represent a large class of bacterial metabolites that are produced by some fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. and a few other bacterial genera. Phenazines were first noted in the scientific literature over 100 years ago, but for a long time were considered to be pigments of uncertain function. Following evidence that phenazines act as virulence factors in the opportunistic human and animal pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa and are actively involved in the suppression of plant pathogens, interest in these compounds has broadened to include investigations of their genetics, biosynthesis, activity as electron shuttles, and contribution to the ecology and physiology of the cells that produce them. This minireview highlights some recent and exciting insights into the diversity, frequency and ecological roles of phenazines produced by fluorescent Pseudomonas spp.

Contrasting the consumptive and non‐consumptive cascading effects of natural enemies on vector‐borne pathogens

AbstractPredicting disease dynamics requires a community perspective, incorporating multi‐species interactions involving hosts, pathogens, vectors, and consumers. In systems where pathogens are dependent on a vector for transmission from one host to another, predators can indirectly influence disease risk through direct effects on vectors. These effects may be consumptive if predators reduce vector abundance by capturing and killing vectors, or non‐consumptive if predators induce anti‐predator behavioral responses by vectors. Studies are accumulating that document cascading effects of predators on vector‐borne disease risk, but the mechanisms underlying these effects are often uncertain. Using a previously developed epidemiological model as a framework, I outline several mechanistic pathways by which predators can have consumptive and non‐consumptive effects on vectors, and present theoretical predictions about the cascading influence of these pathways on pathogen prevalence. I then review selected examples from the literature of vector‐borne plant pathogen systems where particular mechanistic pathways have been implicated. Together, the model predictions and the literature review reveal that, depending on the particular mechanisms at work, predators may reduce, leave unaffected, or even increase pathogen prevalence. In general, the consumptive effects of predators on vectors result in consistent reductions in pathogen prevalence. However, the non‐consumptive effects of predators that arise as a result of changes in pathogen transmission rates, vector birth rates, and non‐predation vector mortality rates are more variable, with the potential for context‐dependency and counter‐intuitive outcomes. Interactions among pathways are also possible, such that the magnitude of consumptive effects can depend upon the strength of non‐consumptive effects and vice versa. I conclude by highlighting the importance of teasing apart the various mechanistic pathways by which predators may indirectly influence pathogen prevalence, and clarifying the relationships among them, to accurately predict the consequences of predation for disease risk and the usefulness of biological control of vectors for suppression of plant pathogens.

Draft Genome Sequences of the Biocontrol Bacterium Mitsuaria sp. Strain H24L5A

Mitsuaria sp. strain H24L5A is a plant-associated bacterium with proven capacities to suppress plant pathogens. Here, we report the draft genome sequences and automatic annotation of H24L5A. Comparative genomic analysis indicates H24L5A's similarity to the Leptothrix and Methylibium species, as well as several genes potentially contributing to its biocontrol activities.