# Antibiotic and Copper Sensitivity in Erwinia amylovora Isolates from Northern Saudi Arabia, and the Induction of Fire Blight Suppression by Salicylic Acid

## TL;DR

This study investigates antibiotic resistance in fire blight bacteria from Saudi Arabia and shows that salicylic acid, alone or with antibiotics, can reduce disease severity.

## Contribution

First demonstration of salicylic acid's effectiveness in suppressing fire blight in Saudi Arabia, especially when combined with streptomycin.

## Key findings

- Most E. amylovora isolates showed minimal inhibition to low doses of streptomycin and oxytetracycline.
- Salicylic acid and streptomycin, alone or combined, significantly reduced fire blight incidence and symptom severity in apple shoots.
- Combining salicylic acid with streptomycin provided the greatest reduction in bacterial load and shoot necrosis.

## Abstract

Fire blight, caused by Erwinia amylovora, is a severe disease impacting pome fruit production worldwide, including in Saudi Arabia. This study evaluated antibiotic sensitivity and the potential of chemical and elicitor treatments to suppress E. amylovora isolates collected from various regions in Saudi Arabia. In the in vitro assays, at low antibiotic levels (10 µg/mL streptomycin and 25 µg/mL oxytetracycline), all Saudi Arabian strains exhibited minimal inhibition (zones ≤ 14 mm). Two isolates displayed partial tolerance at an intermediate oxytetracycline concentration (50 µg/mL). True sensitivity (zones > 18 mm) was mainly observed at the highest tested oxytetracycline dose (100 µg/mL). Regarding copper sulfate, all isolates showed no inhibition between 0.02 and 0.08 mM, while all isolates exhibited intermediate susceptibility at 0.16 mM. The second experimental phase examined in planta effects of streptomycin, salicylic acid (SA), and their combination on disease development in artificially inoculated apple (Malus domestica) shoots under greenhouse conditions. Both streptomycin and SA significantly reduced fire blight incidence (by 75%) and symptom severity, while the combined treatment yielded the greatest reduction in shoot necrosis and bacterial load. This is the first report demonstrating that SA, particularly when used in combination with streptomycin, can effectively suppress fire blight in Saudi Arabia. These results stress the importance of integrating resistance inducers into fire blight management strategies to counter the rise in antimicrobial resistance.