Phenotypic diversity, host range and molecular phylogeny of Dickeya isolates from Spain

Six Dickeya spp. strains representative of a larger group of bacteria isolated from potato, onion and irrigation water in Spain between years 2003-2005, were characterised by biochemical, serological, molecular and pathogenicity assays. Biochemical and serological differences, as well as pathogenic behaviour in host range and virulence levels, were observed among the strains. They were classified into biovars 3 and 6. Phylogenetic analysis and comparison of the isolates with type strains of Dickeya species characterised to date were performed using concatenated partial sequences of the housekeeping genes gapA and mdh. One of the Spanish strains was identified as D. dieffenbachiae, whereas the other ones did not fit clearly into the previously described six Dickeya species, and may therefore constitute novel species. Isolation of dissimilar pathogenic strains in different rivers and irrigation water sources supports the idea that Dickeya species is commonly present in such an environment, and contaminated water is a potential source of inoculum for the disease in different crops.