Tinatin Sadunishvili
Agricultural University of Georgia, Georgia
Title: Isolation of Cms specific bacteriophages
Biography
Biography: Tinatin Sadunishvili
Abstract
Bacterial ring rot is a highly infectious disease of potato caused by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus (Cms). Crop losses caused with ring rot range from 11 to 44% in different countries and significantly increases during potato storage. In EU member states Cms is under strict statutory control. Management of ring rot of potato is especially difficult in storage places, where the pathogen, being in a latent form, may infect almost all tubers. Some disinfectants or fumigants are recommended on seed potatoes and during storage. Achieving sustainable agriculture necessitate the search for safer, more specific and environment-friendly control methods. The aim of the project is to identify the spread of potato ring rot in Georgia, isolate the pathogen and its specific bacteriophages for their biological control. Field studies in 5 potato production regions did not reveal ring rot disease; though there were some tubers in potato storage houses carrying Cms, which was confirmed by molecular detection method. Several pure Cms isolates were recovered from these samples and confirmed by specific PCR they are Cms; their cells shapes, colony morphology and biochemical tests have been studied. Collected soil and diseased potato samples were checked on Cms Georgian and Polish isolates on phage content. Four bacteriophages were obtained. Phagosensitivity of the isolates to phages have been studied. Phages #8 and 13 lyse almost all Georgian and Polish Cms isolates.