Polyphasic characterization of Burkholderia gladioli isolated from onion and evaluation of its potential pathogenicity for other crops

Individuals of the genus Burkholderia , sensu lato, are characterized by colonizing various, ecological, niches. The purpose of this research was to characterize Burkholderia gladioli morphologically, physiologically, biochemically, and molecularly, isolated from rotten onion bulbs, and to determine its potential as a pathogen of other plant species. B. gladioli also promoted soft rot in purple onion bulbs ( Allium cepa ), leek stalks (A. ampeloprasum), inflorescences of broccoli (Brassica oleracea), cladodes of cactus ( Opuntia indica ), carrot roots ( Daucus carota ), ginger rhizomes ( Zingiber officinale ) and mushroom sporocarps ( Agaricus bisporus ). B. gladioli colonized bean plants ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) in a greenhouse, and showed natural resistance in vitro to copper: agricultural cuprimicin, cuprimicin 500, phyton, copper oxychloride; antibiotics: bactrol, agricultural bactriomicin, kasumin, final bacter, quartz and biological: serenade powder, fungifree patoand bacterbest. This study reports for the first time the polyphasic characterization of B. gladioli in Mexico. This bacterial species grew at pH 4.0 and 42 °C, which could give it competitive ability in acid soils and semi-arid conditions. It is shown that it had a wide range of hosts in postharvest conditions, in addition to being resistant to different products used in the field for phytopathogens control.