Antagonistic Properties of Pantoea against Crop Phytopathogens
Abstract
Fusarium fungi are among the most prevalent pathogens of cereal crops, producing phyto- and mycotoxins that severely reduce grain yield and quality. Developing novel, effective biocontrol agents is a pressing agricultural priority, and plant-associated bacteria offer a promising solution. This article evaluates the antagonistic and growth-promoting activities of Pantoea strains against phytopathogenic Fusarium species, as well as their capacity to mitigate pathogen-induced toxic effects on cereal crops.The strains Pantoea agglomerans B-14726, P. vagans B-14727, and P. pleuroti B-14756 were obtained from the National Bioresource Center of the All-Russian Collection of Industrial Microorganisms at the Kurchatov Institute (Moscow, Russia). Their antagonistic activity was assessed against Fusarium culmorum, F. poae , and a strain belonging to the F. tricinctum species complex using well diffusion and co-cultivation methods. The study also evaluated the antifungal activity of volatile organic compounds and the effect of Pantoea strains on seed germination under phytopathogenic pressure.All tested strains exhibited distinct antagonistic activity against the phytopathogens. P. vagans B-14727 demonstrated the highest efficacy, achieving maximum growth suppression of the F. tricinctum species complex during co-cultivation (68.8%) and producing the largest zones of inhibition (≤ 6.0 cm). P. agglomerans B-14726 showed stable antifungal activity and effective pathogen growth suppression via volatile metabolites. Meanwhile, P. pleuroti B-14756 exhibited a robust protective effect during co-cultivation and significantly enhanced seed germination under infestation conditions. Across all tests, the F. tricinctum complex proved to be the most sensitive pathogen, whereas F. culmorum was the most resistant.In conclusion, these Pantoea strains possess reliable biocontrol and growth-promoting potential, making them promising candidates for developing commercial bioproducts to protect cereal crops against Fusarium infections.