Abstract Description

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 Stewart’s wilt in maize) and Pantoea ananatis (inducing center rot in onions). This duality raises critical concerns about the unregulated adoption of Pantoea in agriculture. The promise of Pantoea in sustainable agriculture must be balanced against its demonstrated capacity for plant pathogenesis. While certain strains offer genuine benefits, the genus' genomic fluidity and capacity for rapid evolution demand cautious, science-based approaches to commercialization. Three critical steps must precede widespread adoption: implementation of robust genomic screening protocols, development of host-range prediction models, and establishment of international safety standards. Only through such rigorous measures can we harness Pantoea's potential while safeguarding global food security and ecosystem health. The time to address these challenges is now, before uncontrolled applications lead to irreversible agricultural consequences. This talk will provide evidence for the Pantoea-hypothesis by highlighting key results on a Lactuca serriola endophyte, Pantoea agglomerans R6.