Pantoea in agriculture: Balancing promise and pathogenicity

Holman, D. E.; Smith, E.; Raji, A.; Abrahams, A.-I.; Hendricks, M.-D.; Basson, G.; Daniel, A.; Nkomo, M. A.; Niekerk, L.-A.; du Plessis, M.; Gokul, A.; Klein, A.; Keyster, M.

doi:10.64898/2025.12.18.695097

bioRxiv · 10.64898/2025.12.18.695097

Pantoea in agriculture: Balancing promise and pathogenicity

Holman, D. E.·Smith, E.·Raji, A.·Abrahams, A.-I.·Hendricks, M.-D.·Basson, G.·Daniel, A.·Nkomo, M. A.·Niekerk, L.-A.·du Plessis, M.·Gokul, A.·Klein, A.·Keyster, M.

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Abstract

The genus Pantoea has gained attention as a promising biofertilizer and biocontrol agent, with strains like Pantoea agglomerans and Pantoea dispersa enhancing plant growth and suppressing pathogens. However, the same genus includes pathogenic species such as Pantoea stewartii (causing Stewarts wilt in maize) and Pantoea ananatis (inducing center rot in onions). This duality raises critical concerns about the unregulated adoption of Pantoea in agriculture.

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Holman, D. E., Smith, E., Raji, A., Abrahams, A.-I., Hendricks, M.-D., Basson, G., Daniel, A., Nkomo, M. A., Niekerk, L.-A., du Plessis, M., Gokul, A., Klein, A., Keyster, M.. 2025-12-18. Pantoea in agriculture: Balancing promise and pathogenicity. https://doi.org/10.64898/2025.12.18.695097

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