Journal of Applied Genetics 50(1), 2009, pp. 1-7

Genetic background of host-pathogen interaction between Cucumis sativus L. and Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans

Helena Olczak-Woltman, Malgorzata Schollenberger,Katarzyna Niemirowicz-Szczytt

Abstract: The interplay of plant resistance mechanisms and bacterial pathogenicity is very complex. This applies also to the interaction that takes place between the pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans (Smith et Bryan) and the cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) as its host plant. Research on P. syringae pv. lachrymans has led to the discovery of specific factors produced during pathogenesis, i.e. toxins or enzymes. Similarly, studies on cucumber have identified the specific types of plant resistance expressed, namely Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) or Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR). This paper presents a summary of the current state of knowledge about this particular host-pathogen interaction, with reference to general information about interactions of P. syringae pathovars with host plants.

Key words: angular leaf spot, bacterial plant pathogen, cucumber, resistance mechanisms.

Correspondence: H. Olczak-Woltman, Department of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; e-mail: helenaolczak@interia.pl