Genome sequencing of bacteria that produce olive tuberculosis

2010/07/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Genetika
• Mikrobiologia
• Nekazaritza

Researchers from the Public University of Navarra, the Polytechnic University of Madrid (CBGP), the University of Malaga, the University of Wisconsin and the Valencian Institute of Agrarian Research have sequenced the genome of the bacteria that cause olive tuberculosis, published in the journal Environmental Microbiology.

Pseudomonas savastanón is the bacterium responsible for olive tuberculosis, a disease that prevents many olive trees in Spain. Trees affected by the bacteria have tumors up to several centimeters (called creeping) in trunk, branches, stems, and shoots. Sick trees have less strength and less growth. They can also be sterilized if the disease affects hard. To date, as there are no effective methods of control, prevention strategies and phytosanitary treatments have been used to reduce bacterial populations. From now on, researchers hope to be able to design specific strategies to fight the disease and develop programs for genetic improvement of the olive tree.