Lateral organ boundaries 1 is a disease susceptibility gene for citrus bacterial canker disease

Significance Citrus bacterial canker, which is caused by several species in the genus Xanthomonas , is a severe disease with worldwide distribution affecting all the commercially important citrus species and cultivars. The mechanisms of canker development, involving erumpent pustule formation and bacterial growth, are not known. Our findings suggest that virulence determinants in several pathogens activate a single host disease susceptibility (S) gene that has a critical contribution to bacterial growth and host pustule development. The S gene represents an excellent candidate for control measures for the citrus bacterial canker.