2026/07/01 by Catarina Brito, Ana Cristina Rodrigues, João Pedro Luz +3
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Plant Pathogenic Bacteria Studies #Fungal Plant Pathogen Control #Phytoplasmas and Hemiptera pathogens
paper · doi:10.1111/ppa.70246
ABSTRACT Fire blight, caused by Erwinia amylovora , is one of the most destructive bacterial diseases of pome fruit crops, particularly apple ( Malus domestica ) and pear ( Pyrus communis ). First documented in the 1790s in New York, the pathogen has since spread to over 40 countries across five continents, continuing to overcome geographic and regulatory barriers. Its virulence depends on a coordinated set of molecular mechanisms—including the type III secretion system (T3SS), exopolysaccharide production, and siderophore‐mediated iron acquisition—modulated by environmental conditions such as surface moisture, temperature and floral phenology. Effective curative treatments remain unavailable, and the global expansion of antibiotic resistance, particularly to streptomycin, further limits control options. This review critically synthesizes current knowledge on pathogenicity mechanisms, host–pathogen interactions, epidemiological drivers and economic impacts. It evaluates integrated management strategies encompassing cultural practices, biological control agents, resistance inducers, bacteriophage therapies and resistant genotypes. Persistent knowledge gaps are identified, including the need for standardized resistance evaluation protocols and enhanced genomic surveillance, to guide future research toward more sustainable fire blight management.