Beneficial plant bacteria

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The recognition of plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), a group of beneficial plant bacteria, as potentially useful for stimulating plant growth and increasing crop yields has evolved over the past several years to where today researchers are able to repeatedly use them successfully in field experiments. Increased growth and yields of potato, sugar beet, and radish have been reported. The most effective strains of PGPR have been fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. Growth increases appear to result from the suppression of soil microorganisms that are deleterious to plant growth. A possible mode of action is through the production of the siderophore pseudobactin, that chelates iron in the plant rhizosphere making it unavailable to the harmful microflora. Commercial applications of PGPR are being tested and are frequently successful; however, a better understanding of the microbial interactions that result in plant growth increases will greatly increase the success rate of field applications.