Distinct phenotypic behaviours within a clonal population of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae

Bacterial canker of the kiwifruit caused by the etiological agent Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae is the most severe disease in kiwifruit production. Since 2008 a hypervirulent Psa biovar 3 has spread rapidly worldwide. Different genomic and phenotypic approaches have been used to understand the origin of the dissemination and geographical evolution of populations associated with this pandemic. This study aimed to characterize the genetic and phenotypic diversity of 22 Psa isolates collected in different regions of Portugal between 2013 and 2017. Genotypic and phenotypic characterization was based on Multi-Locus Sequence Analysis (MLSA), motility, IAA production, Biolog GEN III, and copper sensitivity. No polymorphisms were detected for the concatenated sequence (1950 bp) of the housekeeping genes gltA, gapA, gyrB, and rpoD. Results support the analysed Portuguese Psa isolates (2013–2017) belonging to Psa3, and MLSA indicates high genetic clonality and stability of these populations. The phenotypic analysis through Biolog revealed a heterogeneous pattern in the Psa collection and its position in the Pseudomonas complex. This heterogeneity reflects a genomic diversity that may reflect distinct adaptive trends associated with the environmental conditions and widespread. The Portuguese Psa collection showed no resistance to copper. This information is relevant to kiwi producers that predominantly use Cu-treatments to control kiwifruit bacterial canker.