Patterns of Genetic and Morphological Variability of (Lamiaceae) on the Balkan Peninsula.

The Balkan Peninsula represents an important center of plant diversity, exhibiting remarkable ecological heterogeneity that renders it an optimal region for studying the diversification patterns of complex taxa such as . In the Balkan Peninsula, is a highly plastic and morphologically variable species with unresolved taxonomic status. To ascertain the patterns of genetic and morphological diversification, a comparative genetic and morphological analysis was conducted.

Refining the taxonomy of the order () based on whole genome comparisons of over 130 type strains.

The alphaproteobacterial order consists of 38 families comprising at least 152 validly published genera as of January 2024. The order was first described in 1957 and underwent important revisions in 2020. However, we show that several inconsistencies in the taxonomy of this order remain and we argue that there is a need for a consistent framework for defining families within the order.

Diversity and Evolutionary History of Ti Plasmids of "tumorigenes" Clade of Rhizobium spp. and Their Differentiation from Other Ti and Ri Plasmids.

Agrobacteria are important plant pathogens responsible for crown/cane gall and hairy root diseases. Crown/cane gall disease is associated with strains carrying tumor-inducing (Ti) plasmids, while hairy root disease is caused by strains harboring root-inducing (Ri) plasmids. In this study, we analyzed the sequences of Ti plasmids of the novel "tumorigenes" clade of the family Rhizobiaceae ("tumorigenes" Ti plasmids), which includes two species, Rhizobium tumorigenes and Rhizobium rhododendri.

Genomics of the "tumorigenes" clade of the family Rhizobiaceae and description of Rhizobium rhododendri sp. nov.

Tumorigenic members of the family Rhizobiaceae, known as agrobacteria, are responsible for crown and cane gall diseases of various crops worldwide. Tumorigenic agrobacteria are commonly found in the genera Agrobacterium, Allorhizobium, and Rhizobium. In this study, we analyzed a distinct "tumorigenes" clade of the genus Rhizobium, which includes the tumorigenic species Rhizobium tumorigenes, as well as strains causing crown gall disease on rhododendron.

Agrobacterium cucumeris sp. nov. isolated from crazy roots on cucumber (Cucumis sativus).

Three plant rhizogenic strains O132, O115 and O34 isolated from Cucumis sp. L. were assessed for taxonomic affiliation by using polyphasic taxonomic methods.

Screening of Antifungal Activity of Essential Oils in Controlling Biocontamination of Historical Papers in Archives.

The main challenge in controlling the microbiological contamination of historical paper is finding an adequate method that includes the use of cost-effective, harmless, and non-toxic biocides whose effectiveness is maintained over time and without adverse effects on cultural heritage and human health. Therefore, this study demonstrated the possibility of using a non-invasive method of historical paper conservation based on plant essential oils (EOs) application. Evaluation of antimicrobial effects of different EOs (lemongrass, oregano, rosemary, peppermint, and eucalyptus) was conducted against , , and , which are commonly found on archive papers.

Polyphasic study of phytopathogenic bacterial strains associated with deep bark canker of walnut in Serbia revealed a new species, sp. nov.

Serious outbreaks of walnut deep bark canker were observed on young walnut trees ( L.) in two localities in the northern part of Serbia during 2020. From the symptomatic walnut tissues, two types of bacterial colonies were isolated, predominantly, light cream, circular and smooth colonies, as well as small, yellowish, mucoid and convex ones.

Phytogeographic Characteristics of Montane Coniferous Forests of the Central Balkan Peninsula (SE Europe).

We investigated taxonomic and endemic richness, patterns of spatial distribution, cenotic and spatial diversification, and chorological and life form spectra of montane coniferous forests in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula. We collected information on 1435 taxa (1351 at the level of species and 84 subspecies) with 65,289 species-occurrence data, published in 1930 original plots with a total area of about 215 ha in the analysis. All statistical analyses (univariate and multivariate) were performed on binary matrices prepared for different levels of analysis.

Two New Species Isolated from Root Nodules of Common Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) Show Different Plant Colonization Strategies.

Root nodules of legume plants are primarily inhabited by rhizobial nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Here, we propose two new species isolated from root nodules of common sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia), as shown by core-gene phylogeny, overall genome relatedness indices, and pan-genome analysis. Mesorhizobium onobrychidis sp.

Characterization of Strains Associated with Shoot Blight of Raspberry and Blackberry in Serbia.

During May 2016, severe blight symptoms were observed in several raspberry and blackberry fields in Serbia. In total, 22 strains were isolated: 16 from symptomatic raspberry shoots, 2 from asymptomatic raspberry leaves, and 4 from symptomatic blackberry shoots. Additionally, eight raspberry strains, isolated earlier from two similar outbreaks, were included in the study.

sp. nov. and sp. nov., isolated from crown gall tissues.

The genus contains a set of diverse bacterial strains, most of which are known for their pathogenicity on annual crops and fruit trees causing economically important plant diseases. Recently, five strains were isolated from -induced crown gall tissues of amaranth ( sp.) and weeping fig () plants in Iran.

Agrobacterium vaccinii sp. nov. isolated from galls on blueberry plants (Vaccinium corymbosum).

Four non-pathogenic strains isolated from the galls on blueberry plants (Vaccinium corymbosum) were characterized by using polyphasic taxonomic methods. Based on 16S rRNA gene phylogeny, strains were clustered within the genus Agrobacterium. Furthermore, multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) based on the partial sequences of atpD, recA and rpoB housekeeping genes and whole-genome-based phylogeny indicated that the strains studied form a novel Agrobacterium species.

Taxonomy of revisited: proposal of a new framework for genus delimitation.

The alphaproteobacterial family is highly diverse, with 168 species with validly published names classified into 17 genera with validly published names. Most named genera in this family are delineated based on genomic relatedness and phylogenetic relationships, but some historically named genera show inconsistent distribution and phylogenetic breadth. The most problematic is , which is notorious for being highly paraphyletic, as most newly described species in the family are assigned to this genus without consideration of their proximity to existing genera, or the need to create novel genera.

Isolation, Characterization and Draft Genome Analysis of Bacteriophages Infecting .

Bacterial fruit blotch and seedling blight, caused by , is one of the most destructive diseases of melon and watermelon in many countries. Pathogen-free seed and cultural practices are major pillars of the disease control. However, use of bacteriophages as natural biocontrol agents might also contribute to the disease management.

Phenotypic and Molecular-Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal Distinct Features of Crown Gall-Associated Strains.

In summer 2019, widespread occurrence of crown gall disease caused by spp. was observed on commercially grown ornamental plants in southern Iran. Beside agrobacteria, pale yellow-pigmented Gram-negative strains resembling the members of were also associated with crown gall tissues on weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) and sp.

Genomic Analyses of Rose Crown Gall-Associated Bacteria Revealed Two New Species: sp. nov. and sp. nov.

species complex contains a set of diverse bacterial strains, most of which are well known for their pathogenicity on agricultural plants causing crown gall diseases. Members of species complex are classified into several taxonomically distinct lineages called "genomospecies" (13 genomospecies until early 2021). Recently, two genomospecies, G19 (strains Rnr, Rew, and Rnw) and G20 (strains OT33 and R13) infecting sp.

Occurrence of Crown Gall Disease on Japanese Spindle (Euonymus japonicas var. Green Rocket) Caused by Agrobacterium rosae in Iran.

Crown gall disease caused by diverse Agrobacterium species is one of the main biotic constraints in the ornamental plants industry in Iran (Mafakheri et al. 2017). In August 2019, Japanese spindle (Euonymus japonicus var.

A Novel Group of -Like Agrobacteria Associated with Crown Gall Disease of Rhododendron and Blueberry.

Crown gall is an economically important and widespread plant disease caused by tumorigenic bacteria that are commonly affiliated within the genera , and . Although crown gall disease was reported to occur on rhododendron, literature data regarding this disease are limited. In this study, an atypical group of tumorigenic agrobacteria belonging to the genus was identified as a causative agent of crown gall on rhododendron.

Minimal standards for the description of new genera and species of rhizobia and agrobacteria.

Herein the members of the Subcommittee on Taxonomy of Rhizobia and Agrobacteria of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes review recent developments in rhizobial and agrobacterial taxonomy and propose updated minimal standards for the description of new species (and genera) in these groups. The essential requirements (minimal standards) for description of a new species are (1) a genome sequence of at least the proposed type strain and (2) evidence for differentiation from other species based on genome sequence comparisons. It is also recommended that (3) genetic variation within the species is documented with sequence data from several clearly different strains and (4) phenotypic features are described, and their variation documented with data from a relevant set of representative strains.

Evolutionary Relatedness and Classification of Tumor-Inducing and Opine-Catabolic Plasmids in Three Rhizobium rhizogenes Strains Isolated from the Same Crown Gall Tumor.

Plasmids play a crucial role in the ecology of agrobacteria. In this study, we sequenced tumor-inducing (Ti) and opine-catabolic (OC) plasmids in three Rhizobium rhizogenes (Agrobacterium biovar 2) strains isolated from the same crown gall tumor on "Colt" cherry rootstock and conducted comparative genomic analyses. Tumorigenic strains C5.

Complete Genome of the Specific Bacteriophage KΦ1, Its Survival and Potential in Control of Pepper Bacterial Spot.

phage KΦ1, a member of family, was isolated from the rhizosphere of pepper plants showing symptoms of bacterial spot. The phage strain expressed antibacterial activity to all strains tested and did not lyse other spp., nor other less related bacterial species.

Role of Plasmids in Plant-Bacteria Interactions.

Plants are colonized by diverse microorganisms, which may positively or negatively influence the plant fitness. The positive impact includes nutrient acquisition, enhancement of resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, both important factors for plant growth and survival, while plant pathogenic bacteria can cause diseases. Plant pathogens are adapted to negate or evade plant defense mechanisms, e.