Bacterial Panicle Blight and Burkholderia glumae: from pathogen biology to disease control

Bacterial Panicle Blight (BPB), caused by the bacterium Burkholderia glumae, has affected rice production worldwide. In spite of its importance, neither the disease nor its causal agent are well understood. Moreover, methods to manage BPB are still lacking. Nevertheless, the emerging importance of this pathogen has stimulated research to identify the mechanisms of pathogenicity, to gain insight into plant disease resistance, and to develop strategies to manage the disease. In this review, we consolidate current information regarding the virulence factors that have been identified in B. glumae and present a model of the disease and the pathogen. We also provide an update on the current research status to develop methods to control the disease especially through biological control approaches and through the development of resistant cultivars.