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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #419123
Research Project: Broadening and Strengthening the Genetic Base of Rice for Adaptation to a Changing Climate, Crop Production Systems, and Markets

Location: Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center

Title: Characterization and genomic insights for the emerging rice pathogen, Pantoea ananatis

Author
item GIEBLER, MITCHELL - Colorado State University
item LUNA, EMILY - Colorado State University
item Jia, Yulin
item LEACH, JAN - Colorado State University

Submitted to: International Phytobiomes Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/14/2024
Publication Date: 11/19/2024
Citation: Giebler, M., Luna, E., Jia, Y., Leach, J.E. 2024. Characterization and genomic insights for the emerging rice pathogen, Pantoea ananatis. Abstract. International Phytobiomes Conference, St. Louis, Missouri, November 19-21, 2024.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: New and emerging pathogens continuously threaten the security of vital crops worldwide. Pantoea ananatis, a bacterial pathogen of rice, was first reported in the United States in 2021 in a research plot in Arkansas. The pathogen caused leaf blight lesions, panicle sterility, and yield reductions in susceptible rice varieties. To assess the potential threat that this pathogen poses to United States agriculture, we tested its impact on commonly grown rice varieties in the United States under greenhouse conditions and analyzed genomes of P. ananatis obtained from Arkansas. Analysis of over 150 publicly available P. ananatis genomes from around the world alongside those from Arkansas revealed two distinct clusters based on average nucleotide identity, confirming a separation of P. ananatis isolated from rice hosts from isolates found on other host species. Using comparative genomics, we have identified rice-unique regions and are now developing a set of primers that will specifically amplify P. ananatis isolated from rice. These primers will be used as diagnostic tools and will provide key insights into genomic variation between isolates across hosts. The knowledge gained from this research addresses an urgent need for effective monitoring of this disease to protect rice production.