In Planta Biocontrol of Pectobacterium atrosepticum by Rhodococcus erythropolis Involves Silencing of Pathogen Communication by the Rhodococcal Gamma-Lactone Catabolic Pathway
Figure 3
NAHSL-breakdown and biocontrol activity of the QsdA-expressingE. coli strain in potato tubers.
(A) E. coli DH5α(pUC19) (Ec) and E. coli DH5α(pUC19-qsdA) (Ec-qsdA) were compared for biocontrol activity against P. atrosepticum 6276 (Pa-QS+) 1, 2, 3 and 7 days after inoculation of potato tubers. For the controls, one or both strains were replaced in the inoculum with a 0.9% NaCl solution. Significant differences (Mann and Whitney test; α = 0.05) in maceration symptoms between infected tubers inoculated with the Ec or the Ec-qsdA strains are indicated with an asterisk. (B) Population dynamics of P. atrosepticum and E. coli bacteria (CFU/g fresh weight of potato tubers; black and blue lines respectively), and NAHSL concentration (ng/g of potato tubers; black and white bars), were determined for each condition in potato tubers. For lines and bars, each value is the mean of three replicates with the standard deviation indicated. NS, non-significant; NAHSL, N-acyl homoserine lactone.