Broadcast Date: January 15, 2026 | 11:00am - 12:00pm Central
Price: FREE for members, $49 for nonmembers
Register Now!
Webinar Summary
The plant epidermis is a single layer of cells covering all plant organs. How pathogens overcome this barrier and enter plants is an important aspect of plant-pathogen interactions. For bacterial plant pathogens, known entry points include natural openings, such as stomata, hydathodes, and mechanical injuries caused by insect feeding, wind damage, or hailstorms. In this talk, we will share our recent findings that showed the fire blight pathogen Erwinia amylovora enters apple leaves through naturally occurring wounds caused by the abscission of trichomes during the course of leaf development. Through macroscopic and microscopic observations, we depicted a clear invasion path for E. amylovora cells, from epiphytic growth on glandular trichomes (GT) and non-glandular trichomes (NT) to entry through wounds caused by abscised trichomes, into the epithem, and subsequent spread through xylem. We will also share experimental data showing that GT and NT undergo an abscission process, and that the amount of naturally occurring wounds during abscission is associated with the increase in E. amylovora population. Through this talk, we will illustrate a novel host entry mechanism of plant pathogenic bacteria through naturally occurring wounds during the abscission of plant surface structures.
About the Presenter
Dr. Quan Zeng
Connecticut Agricultural Experiement Station
Dr. Quan Zeng is a Plant Pathologist in the Department of Plant Pathology and Ecology at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, with a gratis faculty appointment in the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Zeng received his BS in from the Nanjing Agricultural University in China and PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Research in Dr. Zeng’s lab focuses on various pathogenic and beneficial interactions between plants and the bacteria associated with plants. A particular research interest is in fire blight, a devastating disease of apple and pear.
About the Advances in Phytobacteriology Series
The Bacteriology Committee's educational webinar series aims to promote interdisciplinary and cross-institutional collaboration by disseminating groundbreaking research findings in Phytobacteriology. The goal of the series is to engage the scientific community, the series features insights from leading experts in the field. It also strengthens professional networks to facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange.
After participating in the Bacteriology Committee's educational webinar series, which focuses on groundbreaking research, collaboration, and knowledge sharing, attendees will gain awareness of the latest advancements and technological innovations in bacteriology, while also grasping emerging trends and novel methodologies that are shaping the future of the field. Participants will learn about current collaborative projects and initiatives within the bacteriological community and related disciplines, understanding the impact of recent research findings on shaping the future needs of research in phytobacteriology.
