Control of bacterial diseases of potato caused by Pectobacterium spp. (Erwinia carotovora)

Pectinolytic bacteria belonging to Pectobacterium astrosepticum and Pectobacterium carotovorum species are the causal agents responsible for important damage during the culture and storage of potato tubers. The bacterial species involved and the severity of damages depend on several environmental factors, such as humidity and temperature, as well as infectious potential of soils. There is currently no treatment to effectively control the virulence of the pathogens. In this review, recent works on chemical, genetic and biological strategies developed to limit the harmful action of these bacteria are presented. Novel strategies targeting the quorum-sensing communication of Pectobacteria are also discussed. The use of bacterial inocula and/or bioactivators stimulating the non-pathogenic bacteria are proposed to degrade the quorum-sensing signals of the pathogen.