Pantoea: a newly identified causative agent for leaf blight disease in rice

Abstract

Leaf blight is one of the most serious threats to rice agroecosystems worldwide, and the yield reduction due to this disease can be as high as 70%. For decades, the disease has been reported to be caused by the gram-negative bacterium Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. However, several studies in recent years have indicated that numerous bacteria from the genus Pantoea are also capable of causing the symptoms of leaf blight disease. In this paper, we summarize the current status of leaf blight caused by Pantoea spp., describe the epidemiology of this pathogen and its associated disease symptoms, and recommended management for the disease. An understanding of this newly emerged pathogen should lead to guidelines for rice breeders and agricultural practitioners for developing sustainable management strategies for dealing with outbreaks of this disease.