Genomic Surveillance of Epiphytic Pseudomonas syringae Highlights Shared Reservoirs and Cross-Habitat Threats to Cherry Orchards and Nearby Woodland Plants.

ABSTRACT: Plant surfaces host diverse microbial communities acting as reservoirs for pathogenic lineages, yet the ecological dynamics and evolutionary consequences of such reservoirs remain underexplored. We conducted landscape-scale genomic surveillance of Pseudomonas syringae on symptomless leaves of cultivated cherry in orchards and wild plant species in adjacent woodlands across the UK, aiming to understand how phyllosphere populations contribute to the emergence of bacterial canker. Whole genome sequencing of 540 isolates collected over two years and across four regions revealed 10 diverse P. syringae phylogroups (PGs) on symptomless leaves. Both orchard and woodland environments harboured a similar range of PGs, but recovery frequency was very different. PG2d strains dominated cherry orchards,

SUBMITTER: Zeng Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12910131 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature