Potential pathogenicity determinants in the genome of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’, the causal agent of zebra chip disease of potato

Abstract

‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ is an unculturable α-proteobacterium that is the putative causal agent of Zebra Chip (ZC) disease of potato. This disease is a major problem in potato growing areas in the United States and New Zealand, as it affects growth and yield of the crop which has resulted in millions of dollars of loss to the potato industries. ZC disease is characterised by browning and necrotic flecking of vascular and internal tissue, which when fried present as dark stripes and streaks within the chip rendering them commercially unacceptable. The potato-infecting clades of this bacterium are vectored by Bactericera cockerelli, the tomato potato psyllid. Vertical transmissio..