Erwinia

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iErwinia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Bacteria Phylum: Proteobacteria Class: Gamma Proteobacteria Order: Enterobacteriales Family: Enterobacteriaceae Genus: Erwinia Winslow et al. 1920
Species
Candidatus Erwinia dacicola Erwinia amylovora Erwinia aphidicola Erwinia billingiae Erwinia chrysantum Erwinia mallotivora Erwinia papayae Erwinia persicina Erwinia psidii Erwinia pyrifoliae Erwinia rhapontici Erwinia toletana Erwinia tracheiphila Erwinia carotovora

Erwinia is a genus of Enterobacteriaceae bacteria containing mostly plant pathogenic species which was named for the first phytobacteriologist, Erwin Smith. It is a gram negative bacterium related to E.coli, Shigella, Salmonella and Yersinia. A well-known member of this genus is the species E. amylovora, which causes fireblight on apple, pear, and other Rosaceous crops. Erwinia carotovora is another species which causes disesaes in carrots.

[edit] Erwinia carotovora

This bacteria is a plant pathogen which causes diseases in carrots, but has a wide host range, so can also cause blackleg and soft rot in potatoes. Mutants can be produced which are less virulent. Virulence factors include: pectinases, cellulases, (which degrade plant cell walls), and also proteases, lipases, xylanases and nucleases (along with the normal virulence factors for pathogens – Fe acquisition, LPS integrity, multiple global regulatory systems).