Deciphering the genomic and phenotypic diversity of plant-associated phenazine-producing Pseudomonas spp.
A. BIESSY (1), M. Filion (1) (1) Université de Moncton, Canada

Plant-associated Pseudomonas spp. are rod-shaped Gram-negative bacteria that can act as plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria and/or biocontrol agents. The ability to produce phenazine derivatives has been linked to the biocontrol of various soilborne plant pathogens, including fungi, oomycetes and bacteria. These compounds are also reported as key determinants of Pseudomonas spp. rhizosphere competency. In order to better characterize the implication of phenazine derivatives in these different functions, we created a large worldwide collection of phenazine-producing Pseudomonas spp. isolated from an important diversity of host plants. Here we report the sequencing of one hundred phenazine-producing Pseudomonas spp. genomes using the PacBio RS II technology. Phylogenetic affiliations as well as functional analyses of key operons, including phenazine production, are presented. In addition, phenotypical characterization of rhizocompetency, as well as the biocontrol ability of each strain to control the potato plant pathogens Streptomyces scabies, Phytopthora infestans and Verticillium dahliae is reported. Our result demonstrate that a tremendous worldwide diversity of plant-associated phenazine-producing Pseudomonas spp. exists and highlight new genetic determinants of interest for rhizosphere competency, plant growth promotion and biocontrol of plant pathogens.

Abstract Number: P5-123
Session Type: Poster