Six representative Korean strains of streptomycetes (S33, S27, S71, S63, S77, and S78) that were pathogenic to potato were characterized based on phenotypic properties, analysis of 16S rRNA genes, production of thaxtomin A, and presence of nec1 and ORFtnp gene homologs. Strains S33 and S27 had typical characteristics of Streptomyces scabies and S. turgidiscabies, respectively, producing thaxtomin A and hybridizing to genes of nec1 and ORFtnp. Strain S71 produced thaxtomin A and had phenotypic and phylogenetic properties similar to those of S. acidiscabies, except having a greater minimum growth pH (4.5), production of a melanoid pigment on tyrosine agar, and failure to hybridize with nec1 and ORFtnp gene probes. In contrast, strains S63, S77, and S78 were phenotypically different from described scab pathogens. Spore colors of strains S63 and S77 were yellow-white or pale orange, respectively, with rectiflexuous chains. Strain S78 had thin and compact spores unlike typical S. acidiscabies (ATCC 49003). Phylogenetic analysis of strains S63, S77, and S78 based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed low homology to that of described scab pathogens (less than 97.3, 96.0, and 96.3%, respectively). Strain S78 produced thaxtomin A, but did not have homologous sequences to nec1 and ORFtnp genes. Production of thaxtomin A and gene homologs of nec1 and ORFtnp were not detected in strains S63 and S77. All three strains grow at low pH, with minimal growth at pH 3.5 (S77 and S78) or 4.5 (S63). Streptomyces strains S63, S77, and S78 are novel pathogenic streptomycetes adapted to acidic soil conditions in Korea.
