# Genome sequences of pathogenic and non-pathogenic Pantoea ananatis strains in maize (Zea mays L.)

## TL;DR

This paper reports the genome sequences of Pantoea ananatis strains from corn in Brazil and compares their genetic similarity and pathogenicity.

## Contribution

The study provides the first genome sequences of Pantoea ananatis strains isolated from corn in Brazil.

## Key findings

- Strains 4.2 and 13.3 from BLS leaves were non-pathogenic, while strain B13 from MWS tissue caused disease symptoms.
- All three strains showed high genetic similarity with each other and with the P. ananatis type strain LMG 2665.
- The G+C content and ANI analysis confirmed the close genetic relationship among the strains.

## Abstract

We performed genome sequencing and comparative analysis of Pantoea ananatis strains isolated from corn leaves expressing typical bacterial leaf streak (BLS) and maize white spot (MWS) symptoms to confirm bacterial identity and to understand the relationship among these strains and P. ananatis strains isolated from different plant hosts in Brazil. In pathogenicity tests, strains 4.2 and 13.3 isolated from symptomatic BLS leaves were non-pathogenic on corn. In contrast, strain B13 isolated from MWS-diseased leaf tissue caused symptoms typical of MWS. Our comparative analysis revealed that all three strains are very genetically similar. The G+C (%) content of strains 4.2 and 13.3 was 53.5%, while the B13 content was 53.7%. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis showed that strains B13 and 13.3, B13 and 4.2, and 4.2 and 13.3 shared ANIs of 99.17%, 99.15% and 99.99%, respectively. Strains 13.3, B13, and 4.2 shared ~99% ANI with P. ananatis type strain LMG 2665. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first genome sequences of P. ananatis strains isolated from corn in Brazil.