Divalent Cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺) Enhance Growth of <i>Xanthomonas citri</i> and <i>X</i>. <i>campestris</i> by Reducing Generation Time.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial ion homeostasis is critical for adaptation and survival. In this study, we show that supplementing 2xTY medium with divalent cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺) from 50 to 1,000 μM significantly enhances the growth of Xanthomonas species by reducing generation time, while monovalent ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Li⁺, and Cl^-) had no significant effect. Among them, Ca²⁺ effectively boosted X. citri fitness, increasing the specific growth rate by up to 223%, shortening the cell cycle, and enhancing adhesion to abiotic surfaces up to 8-fold. Calcium also induced a more uniform and smaller cell morphology, suggesting improved cell division and me

SUBMITTER: Merighi DGS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12368633 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature