Streptomyces caniscabiei sp. nov., which causes potato common scab and is distributed across the world

Authors: NGUYEN, HIEN - Orise Fellow; WEISBERG, ALEXANDRA - Oregon State University; CHANG, JEFF - Oregon State University; Clarke, Christopher

Submitted to: International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/14/2021
Publication Date: 1/27/2022
Citation: Nguyen, H., Weisberg, A., Chang, J., Clarke, C.R. 2022. Streptomyces caniscabiei sp. nov., which causes potato common scab and is distributed across the world. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.1099/ijsem.0.005225.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1099/ijsem.0.005225

Interpretive Summary: Common scab disease of potato occurs in all potato-growing regions of the world with severe economic impact. Common scab is known to be caused by twelve distinct species of Streptomyces bacteria. We characterized attributes of novel strains of Streptomyes identifed in the USA, Egypt and China and found them to be distinct from previously described Streptomyces species. We propose Streptomyces canutascabiei as the name of this new lineage of plant pathogenic Streptomyces. Because different potato cultivars respond differentially to distinct species of Streptomyces, it is critical to characterize the diversity of phytopathogenic Streptomyces. Identification and formal description of novel species of Streptomyces enables more accurate classification of Streptomyces to aid growers in understanding local pathogen populations.

Technical Abstract: Fourteen strains of Streptomyces isolated from scab lesions on potato are described as members of novel species based on genetic distance. The 16s rRNA gene sequences from members of this novel specie are identical to the S. bottropensis 16s rRNA gene, but whole-genome average nucleotide identity and multi-locus sequence analysis confirm that the strains are members of a novel species. Morphological and biochemical characteristics of these strains are distinct from other described phytopathogenic species. Strain NE06-02D(T) has white aerial mycelium and gray, cylindrical, smooth spores on rectus-flexibilis spore chains. Members of this species group produce melanin, can grow on 6% NaCl medium and pH 5 medium, and are resistant to oleandomycin (25 µg/ml), crystal violet (0.5 µg/ml), and penicillin G (6 µg/ml). Strains belonging to this novel species have been isolated from the United States, Egypt, and China with the earliest known members being isolated in 1961 from common scab lesions of potato in both California, USA and Maine, USA. The name S. canutascabiei sp. nov. is proposed for strain NE06-02DT (=DSM # = NRRL #) and the other members of the novel species group.