Induction of systemic resistance by plant growth promoting rhizobacteria in crop plants against pests and diseases

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) belonging to Pseudomonas spp. are being exploited commercially for plant protection to induce systemic resistance against various pests and diseases. Mixtures of different PGPR strains have resulted in increased efficacy by inducing systemic resistance against several pathogens attacking the same crop. Seed-treatment with PGPR causes cell wall structural modifications and biochemical/physiological changes leading to the synthesis of proteins and chemicals involved in plant defense mechanisms. Lipopolysaccharides, siderophores and salicylic acid are the major determinants of PGPR-mediated ISR. The performance of PGPR has been successful against certain pathogens, insect and nematode pests under field conditions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.