Erwinia persicina, a possible new necrosis and wilt threat to forage or grain legumes production

Erwinia persicina (Ep) is a phytopathogenic bacteria found on Medicago sativa, Glycine max, Phaseolus vulgaris and Pisum sativum. It has also been isolated from healthy tomato, cucumber, banana, apple and pear, as well as the human urinary tract and biofilms located on paleolithic rock paintings. The host range and environmental adaptation capacity of Ep, and its life cycle on the lucerne plant, was studied. It was found that an Ep infection, which could be transmitted by seeds, water, and soil, caused necrosis and wilting of the whole mature lucerne plant. Subsequently, 15 genera and 22 species of forage or grain legumes were chosen to determine the pathogenicity of Ep. Among them were 11 genera and 19 species (e.g., Vigna angularis, Arachis hypogaea, Onobrychis viciaefolia, Astragalus adsurgens, etc.) reported as new hosts. The environmental adaptation capacity of Ep indicated its probable survival within a wide range of environmental conditions and an ability to endure arid, saline and alkaline environments. Based on the results of the life cycle, host range and environmental adaptation capacity of Ep, it was concluded that Ep could pose a new threat to forage or grain legumes production within farming systems.