Diversity and copper resistance of Xanthomonas affecting citrus

Since citrus canker was first described in the early 1900's, four major types and three species of pathogenic xanthomonads associated to citrus were identified based on the characteristic symptoms and host range. Type A, caused by X. citri subsp. citri, develops typical raised cankered lesions and is pathogenic on most commercial citrus species and cultivars. Types B and C are caused by X. citri pv. aurantifolii which elicits canker lesions. Besides the typical type A, the more aggressive and most widely spread type, other subtypes have been described, such as type A*, type A(w), type A-Manatee, type A-Miami, type A-minus pthA, and type-A etrog. The type B strains are found only in Argentina and are more pathogenic on lemon and less aggressive on sweet orange, tangerines and grapefruit. The type C strains are found only in Brazil and are pathogenic only on Key lime. X. alfalfae subsp. citrumelonis, formerly known as type E, causes citrus bacterial spot and is more aggressive on trifoliate citrus and its hybrids. Lesions caused by citrus bacterial spot are flat or sunken and not raised. Several subtypes of X. citri subsp. citri have also been identified. Besides the differences in pathogenicity, xanthomonads may also vary in their sensitivity to copper. Copper resistance has been reported for strains of X. citri subsp. citri and X. alfalfae subsp. citrumelonis and is conferred by the gene clusters copLAB or copABCD. Resistance to copper has serious implications for the use of copper-based bactericides, which are the most important chemicals for the control of diseases caused by Xanthomonas on citrus.