Bacterial microbiota associated with insect vectors of grapevine Bois noir disease in relation to phytoplasma infection. Issue 11 (5th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moussa, Abdelhameed; Passera, Alessandro; Sanna, Francesco; Faccincani, Monica; Casati, Paola; Bianco, Piero Attilio; Mori, Nicola; Quaglino, Fabio
• Is Part Of: FEMS microbiology ecology. Volume 96:Issue 11(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10-05
• Subjects: grapevine yellows -- Wolbachia -- Sulcia -- microbial resource management -- phloem-limited bacteria; Microbial ecology -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; 579.17
• DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiaa203
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0168-6496

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Bois noir is a grapevine disease causing severe yield loss in vineyards worldwide. It is associated with ' Candidatus Phytoplasma solani', a phloem-limited bacterium transmitted by polyphagous insects. Due to its complex epidemiology, it is difficult to organize effective containment measures. This study aimed to describe the bacterial microbiota associated with ' Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' infected and non-infected insect hosts and vectors to investigate if phytoplasma presence can shape the microbiota. Alpha-diversity analysis showed a low microbiota diversity in these insects, in which few genera were highly abundant. Beta-diversity analysis revealed that the xylem- and phloem-feeding behavior influences the microbiota structure. Moreover, it highlighted that phytoplasma infection is associated with a restructuring of microbiota exclusively in Deltocephalinae insect vectors. Obtained data showed that ' Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' may have adverse effects on the endosymbionts Sulcia and Wolbachia, suggesting a possible fitness modification in the insects. The phytoplasma-antagonistic Dyella was not found in any of the examined insect species. The results indicate an interesting perspective regarding the microbial signatures associated with xylem- and phloem-feeding insects, and determinants that could be relevant to establish whether an insect species can be a vector or not, opening up new avenues for developing microbial resource management-based approaches. Abstract : This study describes the microbial community associated with insect vectors of Bois noir disease of grapevine in relation to presence/absence of its etiological agent, ' Candidatus Phytoplasma solani'.