Emergence and re-emergence of plant diseases caused by Xanthomonas species

Xanthomonas is a Gram-negative bacterial genus in the class Gammaprotebacteria, family Xanthomonadaceae. Species of this genus are capable of infecting more than 400 different plant hosts, including rice, citrus, banana and maize. Over the past 20 years, there have been an increasing number of first reports of novel species and the emergence of more virulent strains of known species. In addition, there are a number of reports of known pathogens increasing their host and geographic range. Xanthomonas species have extensive genomic diversity that allows them to not only colonize novel hosts but also occupy unique ecological niches. They have been shown to be an important component of the plant, rhizosphere and soil microbiomes. The Research Topic will focus on key research that will further contribute to our understanding of host invasion by Xanthomonas species.

In the past two decades there has been growing evidence that Xanthomonas species are increasing their host and geographic range. This has resulted in increased research on host-pathogen interactions, virulence and host adaptation mechanisms. There has also been an increased understanding of the microbial ecology and epidemiology of these pathogens. The Research topic aims to contribute to these advances.

The Research Topic aims to publish Original Research, Reviews, and Perspectives on the developing research elucidating the host adaptability, virulence and population diversity of Xanthomonas species. This Research Topic can address the following themes but are not limited to:
• Uncover the molecular mechanisms used by Xanthomonas species to adapt to novel hosts
• Determine the molecular epidemiology of Xanthomonas species
• Using comparative genomics to determine the evolutionary history and/or host adaptive traits of Xanthomonas species