A nodule-inhabiting Paenibacillus sp. strain (UY79) isolated from wild peanut (Arachis villosa) was screened for its antagonistic activity against diverse fungi and oomycetes (Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium semitectum, Macrophomina phaseolina, Phomopsis longicolla, Pythium ultimum, Phytophthora sojae, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii and Trichoderma atroviride). Results obtained show that Paenibacillus sp. UY79 was able to antagonize these fungi/oomycetes and that agar-diffusible metabolites and enzymes, as well as volatile compounds (different from HCN), participate in the antagonism exerted. We found that Paenibacillus sp. strain UY79 did not affect symbiotic association or growth promotion of alfalfa plants when co-inoculated with rhizobia. By whole genome sequence analysis, we determined that strain UY79 is a new species of Paenibacillus within the Paenibacilluspolymyxa complex. Diverse genes putatively involved in biocontrol activity were identified in the UY79 genome. Moreover, according to genome mining and antibiosis assays, strain UY79 would have the capability to modulate the growth of bacteria commonly found in soil/plant communities.