Action mechanisms, biodiversity, and omics approaches in biocontrol and plant growth-promoting Pseudomonas: an updated review

ABSTRACT

Pseudomonas spp. are phylogenetically diverse bacteria with a broad range of metabolic and ecological functions. Pseudomonas spp. beneficially interact with plants by colonising the rhizosphere and various plant compartments. Pseudomonas spp. promote plant growth by facilitating nutrient absorption, modulating phytohormone levels, and providing direct and indirect phytopathogen biocontrol via induced systemic resistance. The recent publication of genomes for numerous plant-associated Pseudomonas have elucidated their growth-stimulating characteristics. The present review surveyed the mechanisms and genetic variability of pseudomonads investigated by omics approaches. These studies furnish clues about the evolution and taxonomic relationships of pseudomonads with the ability to stimulate plant growth, protect and defend the host plant against pathogens. Clarification of pseudomonads and their attributes that are beneficial to crops could help improve crop nutrition and protection in sustainable agricultural production.

KEYWORDS:

• Biocontrol
• ISR
• plant growth-promoting bacteria
• rhizosphere

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Luzmaria R. Morales for technical help to do the antiSMASH analysis.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

P.G.-G. was the recipient of a postdoctoral fellowship under the research proposal number A1-S-15956 supported by CONACYT-México. G.S. thanks CONACYT-México (Proposal: A1-S-15956) and CIC-UMSNH (2020–2021) for financial support to our research projects.