How Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca influences endophytic communities and plant physiology in resistant and susceptible olive tree cultivars

IF 6.8 Q1 PLANT SCIENCES

Plant Stress Pub Date : 2025-06-18 DOI:10.1016/j.stress.2025.100924

Marzia Vergine , Federico Vita , Mariarosaria De Pascali , Giambattista Carluccio , Erika Sabella , Alessandro Passera , Paola Casati , Luigi De Bellis , Andrea Luvisi

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This study explores the interaction between endophytic communities and olive trees (Olea europaea L.) infected by Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca (Xfp), the causal agent of Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS). A multidisciplinary approach was used to assess physiological markers (malondialdehyde, proline, total phenolics and flavonoids), pigment contents (Chl a, Chl b, carotenoids), relative water content (RWC), enzymatic activities (APX, CAT, T-SOD) as well as the diversity and composition of endophytes, in resistant (Leccino) and susceptible (Cellina di Nardò) olive cultivars at varying levels of Xfp infection. Trees were sampled in naturally infected orchards in Apulia (Southern Italy) and grouped by Xfp titer: control (≤10² cfu/mL), low (10³–10⁵), and high (≥10⁶).

The results show consistent titer-dependent changes: pigment content and RWC decreased with increasing infection, while stress markers and carotenoids increased. High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA and ITS regions revealed significant differences in microbial communities.

The Cellina microbiome appeared highly variable and sensitive to infection levels, whereas Leccino exhibited a higher abundance and diversity of beneficial endophytes, including those known to produce antimicrobial compounds and promote plant health. Malondialdehyde data suggest lower oxidative damage in Leccino, reflecting enhanced stress tolerance. In contrast, the compromised endophytic structure in Cellina may exacerbate its vulnerability to Xfp. These findings suggest that Xfp modulates plant metabolism and, in turn, the endophytic community composition by inducing physiological changes in the host plant to counteract pathogen activity. These alterations may affect natural defence mechanisms, including the potential role of specific endophytes in enhancing resistance to Xfp.

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苛养木杆菌亚种。保卡对抗性和易感橄榄树品种的内生群落和植物生理有影响

本研究探讨了苛养木杆菌侵染橄榄树（Olea europaea L.）与内生菌群落的相互作用。pauca （Xfp）是橄榄快速衰退综合征（OQDS）的致病因子。采用多学科方法，对不同Xfp感染水平下，抗性（Leccino）和敏感（Cellina di Nardò）橄榄品种的生理指标（丙二醛、脯氨酸、总酚类物质和类黄酮）、色素含量（Chl A、Chl b、类胡萝卜素）、相对含水量（RWC）、酶活性（APX、CAT、T-SOD）以及内生菌多样性和组成进行了评估。在意大利南部普利亚（Apulia）自然感染的果园中采集树木样本，按Xfp滴度分组：对照（≤10²cfu/mL）、低（10³-10 5）和高（≥10 6）。结果显示了一致的滴度依赖性变化：色素含量和RWC随着感染的增加而降低，而应激标志物和类胡萝卜素增加。16S rRNA和ITS区域的高通量测序显示微生物群落存在显著差异。Cellina微生物组表现出高度可变且对感染水平敏感，而Leccino显示出更高的有益内生菌丰度和多样性，包括那些已知产生抗菌化合物和促进植物健康的内生菌。丙二醛数据表明Leccino的氧化损伤较低，反映了增强的耐受性。相反，Cellina的内生结构受损可能会加剧其对Xfp的易感性。这些发现表明，Xfp通过诱导寄主植物的生理变化来对抗病原体活性，从而调节植物代谢，进而调节内生菌群落组成。这些改变可能影响自然防御机制，包括特定内生菌在增强Xfp抗性中的潜在作用。

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来源期刊

Plant Stress PLANT SCIENCES-

CiteScore

5.20

自引率

8.00%

发文量

审稿时长

63 days

期刊介绍： The journal Plant Stress deals with plant (or other photoautotrophs, such as algae, cyanobacteria and lichens) responses to abiotic and biotic stress factors that can result in limited growth and productivity. Such responses can be analyzed and described at a physiological, biochemical and molecular level. Experimental approaches/technologies aiming to improve growth and productivity with a potential for downstream validation under stress conditions will also be considered. Both fundamental and applied research manuscripts are welcome, provided that clear mechanistic hypotheses are made and descriptive approaches are avoided. In addition, high-quality review articles will also be considered, provided they follow a critical approach and stimulate thought for future research avenues. Plant Stress welcomes high-quality manuscripts related (but not limited) to interactions between plants and: Lack of water (drought) and excess (flooding), Salinity stress, Elevated temperature and/or low temperature (chilling and freezing), Hypoxia and/or anoxia, Mineral nutrient excess and/or deficiency, Heavy metals and/or metalloids, Plant priming (chemical, biological, physiological, nanomaterial, biostimulant) approaches for improved stress protection, Viral, phytoplasma, bacterial and fungal plant-pathogen interactions. The journal welcomes basic and applied research articles, as well as review articles and short communications. All submitted manuscripts will be subject to a thorough peer-reviewing process.