Characterization and identification of Burkholderia glumae in seeds of rice (Oryza sativa) varieties planted in Mexico

Backgrounds/Objectives. Burkholderia glumae is the most important pathogen transmitted through seeds that reduces the yield of rice (Oryza sativa). In 2022, seeds were found with symptoms of glume blotch in Mexico. The aim of this investigation was to characterize and identify the causal agent of the symptoms of glume blotch of 11 varieties of rice planted in Mexico. Materials and Methods. A total of 37 seeds samples were analyzed. From each sample, 1 g of seed was disinfested with sodium hypochlorite and macerated in a PBS buffer and subsequently streaked onto SPG, B de King and Wilbrinks culture media. The isolated bacterial strains were characterized by API20 and identified by amplification and partial sequencing of universal and specific genes. Pathogenicity was evaluated using a 3.5 x 108 CFU mL-1 suspension on rice seeds and seedlings of the Milagro Filipino and INIFLAR-R varieties. Results. Out of 37 samples, in nine (24.3 %), 11 isolates were taken with the morphology described for B. glumae. Characterization by API20 identified two groups with different metabolic profiles between the 11 strains. With PCR, the 11 strains were identified with a coverage of 100% as B. glumae with the universal primers 8F-1492R, and specific to B. glumae Bglu3F-Bglu3R and OgF-OgR. The pathogenicity of B. glumae was confirmed in rice seeds and seedlings of the Milagro Filipino and INIFLAR-R varieties. Conclusion. B. glumae is the causal agent of the symptoms of glume blotch in rice seeds, and it was detected in seeds from seven varieties (63.6 %): GOLFO FL-16, INIFLAR-R, INIFLAR-RT, IRGA, Milagro Filipino, Morelos A-98 and PACÍFICO FL-15 of 11 rice varieties planted in Mexico