African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 6 (2), pp. 055-066, 18 January 2007   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2007 Academic Journals        

Review

Genome-wide analysis of Xylella fastidiosa: implications for detection and strain relationships

Harshavardhan Doddapaneni^1&4 Marta Francis², Jiqiang Yao³, Hong Lin⁴, and Edwin L.  Civerolo⁴*

¹University of California Davis, Department of Viticulture and Enology, Davis, CA 95616, USA.

²University of California Davis, Department of Plant Pathology, Davis, CA 95616, USA.

³Citrus Research Board, 323 W. Oak, P.O. Box 230, Visalia, CA 93279, USA.

⁴USDA-ARS. San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Science Center, 9611 So. Riverbend  Ave, Parlier, CA 93648, USA.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: eciverolo@fresno.ars.usda.gov.

Accepted 24 October, 2006

The xylem limited plant pathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa causes economically important diseases on agronomic, horticultural and landscape plants. This review includes the current status of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based systems for detection and characterization of X. fastidiosa, and presents a genome-wide analysis of strain differentiation. The use of genomics data for strain comparisons will improve the understanding of the genetic determinants of strain specific pathogenicity and virulence.  The genome-level analysis can be applied to design new strategies for management and control of Xylella fastidiosa associated diseases in a wide range of crops.

Key words: Comparative genomics, PCR, diagnosis, database, phylogeny, evolution.