Comparative genomics on nine Ralstonia solanacearum strains differing in virulence to eggplant (Solanum melongena). SOLVIR

Ralstonia solanacearum (Rs) displays an important variability in virulence to solanaceous crops. Among Solanaceae, eggplant is the crop species that carries the highest levels of resistance to Rs. So far, AG91-25 is the first eggplant accession whose bacterial-wilt-resistance has been deciphered as the association of one major resistance gene (Ers1) and a minor effect Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL). It has been reported that some Rs strains are totally controlled by AG91-25 while other strains are able to overcome its resistance. To investigate the molecular bases driving these virulence differences, we sequenced nine strains of Rs that displayed different virulence patterns on AG91-25 (virulent, avirulent, provoking latent infection)) and give particular emphasis on the Type III effector genes (T3E) contents. On these nine strains, eight are of Phylotype I and originate from Asia (TO10, PSS4), Africa (RUN215, RUN1744), Indian Ocean (RD1301, TD1301, TF3108), South America (RUN1985) whereas CFBP3059 belongs to Phylotype III and originates from West-Africa.