A mathematical model of biofilm growth and spread within plant xylem: case study of Xylella fastidiosa in olive trees

Walker, N.C.; White, S.M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3192-9969; Ruiz, S.A.; McKay Fletcher, D.; Saponari, M.; Roose, T.. 2024 A mathematical model of biofilm growth and spread within plant xylem: case study of Xylella fastidiosa in olive trees. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 581, 111737. 11, pp. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtbi.2024.111737

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtbi.2024.111737

Abstract/Summary

Xylem-limited bacterial pathogens cause some of the most destructive plant diseases. Though imposed measures to control these pathogens are generally ineffective, even among susceptible taxa, some hosts can limit bacterial loads and symptom expression. Mechanisms by which this resistance is achieved are poorly understood. In particular, it is still unknown how differences in vascular structure may influence biofilm growth and spread within a host. To address this, we developed a novel theoretical framework to describe biofilm behaviour within xylem vessels, adopting a polymer-based modelling approach. We then parameterised the model to investigate the relevance of xylem vessel diameters on Xylella fastidiosa resistance among olive cultivars. The functionality of all vessels was severely reduced under infection, with hydraulic flow reductions of 2–3 orders of magnitude. However, results suggest wider vessels act as biofilm incubators; allowing biofilms to develop over a long time while still transporting them through the vasculature. By contrast, thinner vessels become blocked much earlier, limiting biofilm spread. Using experimental data on vessel diameter distributions, we were able to determine that a mechanism of resistance in the olive cultivar Leccino is a relatively low abundance of the widest vessels, limiting X. fastidiosa spread.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtbi.2024.111737
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-)
ISSN:	0022-5193
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	xylem-limited bacterial pathogen, multiphase model, biofilm formation, Xylella fastidiosa, olive
NORA Subject Terms:	Mathematics Biology and Microbiology
Date made live:	02 Feb 2024 14:28 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/536839

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtbi.2024.111737

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-)

ISSN:

0022-5193

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.

Additional Keywords:

xylem-limited bacterial pathogen, multiphase model, biofilm formation, Xylella fastidiosa, olive