Genetic characterization of Erwinia amylovora isolates detected in the wild walnut-fruit forest of South Kyrgyzstan

Erwinia amylovora, the causal agent of fire blight, was first reported in Kyrgyz orchards 2008 and, within a few years, disease has spread throughout most northern part country. As blight expanded and penetrated new areas, it also reached unique ecosystem constituted by Arslonbob wild walnut–fruit forests South Kyrgyzstan. Here, we present results field surveys nearby gardens Jalal-Abad region during 2019 season. Further, use genetic profiling CRISPR regions to compare genotypes obtained isolates those previous outbreaks north country Kazakhstan. While found twelve twenty-six sites investigated around forest, mostly located on domesticated varieties quince, apple or pear gardens, nurseries. Plants forest especially endangered species were not affected disease, but their proximity current infection herds is cause major concern calls for immediate protective action. Genetic analysis suggests that main introduction route Central Asia import contaminated plant material from already countries Eurasian continent, which probably occurred multiple independent instances. Nonetheless, indications natural identified between Kazakhstan North