Comparing inoculation methods to evaluate the growth of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. Manihotis on Cassava plants

Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. Manihotis (Xam) is the causal agent of cassava bacterial blight (CBB), a major disease for cassava crops in South America and Africa. Until now the development of the disease is measured via AUDPC (Area Under Disease Progress Curve) but no reliable quantitative methods are available probably due to high variability of bacterial growth in planta. To establish an accurate method for bacterial quantification during the course of Xam infection within the host tissues, we analyzed bacterial populations upon stem and leaf-puncturing as well as leaf-clipping of cassava varieties MCOL1522 and SG107-35 challenged with the virulent Xam strain CIO151. Here, we show that the movement of bacteria along the tissues and especially in leaves is stochastic. Moreover, we were able to demonstrate differential growth of virulent Xam strain CIO151 upon stem-puncturing and quantification of bacteria 6 cm. away from the inoculation point of two varieties displaying contrasting levels of susceptibility kkk