Research progress on citrus canker disease and its microbial control

Abstract:

Citrus is the highest yield and largest fruit in China. Citrus canker disease is one of the most destructive bacterial diseases and results in the decrease in citrus production and quality, thereby further leading to great economic losses to the citrus industry and harmful effects for its sustainable development. The pathogen of citrus canker disease is identified as Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc). Microbial control of citrus canker disease pathogen has the advantages of safe, eco-friendly, and efficient, and thus has received extensive attention. In this paper, we outlined the characteristic of citrus canker disease and the taxonomy and distribution of Xcc, analyzed the main and auxiliary pathogenesis of Xcc on citrus, reviewed the microbial diversity against citrus canker disease and Xcc, and summarized biocontrol mechanisms of microorganisms mainly including the action of bioactive metabolites and the inducing and activation of plant immune defense system. Finally, we summed up the challenges and possible solutions to microbial control of citrus canker to provide the theoretical basis for citrus industry development.