Infectivity of Viable but Non-Cultivable Cells of Pigmented and Nonpigmented Xanthomonas citri pv. anacardii Strains Demonstrate the Need to Establish Indexing Protocols for Cashew Propagules

Angular leaf spot of cashew tree in Brazil has been attributed to pigmented and nonpigmented strains of Xanthomonas citri pv. anacardii. Due to the possibility of dissemination of the disease by propagating material, it is necessary to understand the survival mechanisms of the causal agent. Thus, the present study aimed to characterize the behavior of viable but non-cultivable cells (VBNC) in two pigmented strains (CCRMTAQ13 and CCRMTAQ18) and one nonpigmented strain (IBSBF2579) of X. citri pv. anacardii, integrating in silico, in vitro, and in vivo studies. Thirteen genes associated with the VBNC phase were identified in the genomes of these strains. The log phase was observed at 24, 48, and 120 h for CCRMTAQ13, CCRMTAQ18, and IBSBF2579 strains, respectively. The death phase was observed at 96 h for both pigmented strains and 168 h for the nonpigmented strain. Using qPCR analyses, it was possible to characterize the occurrence of VBNC for the three strains. When inoculated, the strains showed 100% incidence during the VBNC phase, with the IBSBF2579 strain having the longest incubation period (IP). The strains did not differ concerning final severity (FS) in the VBNC phase. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence of the VBNC mechanism in X. citri pv. anacardii strains. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that X. citri pv. anacardii in the VBNC state is potentially infective when they meet their host’s apoplast, which points to the need to use integrated practices to detect this bacterium in cashew seedlings.