Potential impact of climate change on geographic distribution of plant pathogenic bacteria in Central Europe

Abstract

This review provides an overview of variety of bacterial plant pathogens which can serve as an example of how plant pathogenic bacteria can adapt very specifically to anticipated climate change in Central Europe. In the centre of attention are the themes such as: emerging of heat-loving bacteria; changes in the spectrum of pectolytic bacteria; an decrease of the frequency of occurrence of cold tolerant pseudomonads and an increase of more thermophilic xanthomonads; increased risk of xylem-limited bacteria which overwinter in insect vectors; reduced risk of damage of stone fruit trees by ice nucleation active pseudomonads and subsequent winter freeze temperatures. Of plant pathogenic prokaryotes, mollicutes and phloem-limited bacteria are not discussed in this review.