M. Sc. candidate in plant biology
Understanding the relationship between the Bacterial Canker of Tomato, greenhouse tomatoes, and biological control agents
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Bacterial canker of tomato is a devastating seedborne disease caused by Clavibacter michiganensis (Cm), a non-sporulating, Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium that leads to severe yield losses in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production worldwide. In Quebec, Cm remains one of the most challenging greenhouse diseases to manage, due to the absence of genetic resistance and the limited effectiveness of current chemical or biological control methods. In this project, we will establish a collection of Cm isolates and sequence their genomes to reveal the genetic diversity of this pathogen in Quebec. In collaboration with Premier Tech, three bacterial isolates with promising biological control activity against Cm will also be evaluated on tomato plants under greenhouse conditions. This study aims to advance sustainable management strategies for BCT.
Brochu, A. S., Durrivage, J., Torres, D., & Pérez-López, E. (2023). Diet and Injection, Important Recommendations to Characterize Clavibacter michiganensis–Tomato Interactions. Plant Health Progress, 24(4), 475–481. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-04-23-0040-RS
Jang, H., Kim, S. T., & Sang, M. K. (2022). Suppressive Effect of Bioactive Extracts of Bacillus sp. H8-1 and Bacillus sp. K203 on Tomato Wilt Caused by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis. Microorganisms, 10(2), 403. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10020403
Sedighian, N., Guineheux, A., van der Wolf, J., & Déziel, E. (2025). Ecofriendly Control Strategies Against Clavibacter michiganensis, the Causal Agent of Bacterial Canker of Tomato. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/pdis-09-24-1931-fe​