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Pseudomonas chlororaphis metabolites as biocontrol promoters of plant health and improved crop yield

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Abstract

The Pseudomonas fluorescens complex contains at least eight phylogenetic groups and each of these includes several bacterial species sharing ecological and physiological traits. Pseudomonas chlororaphis classified in a separate group is represented by three different subspecies that show distinctive traits exploitable for phytostimulation and biocontrol of phytopathogens. The high level of microbial competitiveness in soil as well as the effectiveness in controlling several plant pathogens and pests can be related to the P. chlororaphis ability to implement different stimulating and toxic mechanisms in its interaction with plants and the other micro- and macroorganisms. Pseudomonas chlororaphis strains produce antibiotics, such as phenazines, pyrrolnitrine, 2-hexyl, 5-propyl resorcinol and hydrogen cyanide, siderophores such as pyoverdine and achromobactine and a complex blend of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that effectively contribute to the control of several plant pathogens, nematodes and insects. Phenazines and some VOCs are also involved in the induction of systemic resistance in plants. This complex set of beneficial strategies explains the high increasing interest in P. chlororaphis for commercial and biotechnological applications. The aim of this review is to highlight the role of the different mechanisms involved in the biocontrol activity of P. chlororaphis strains.

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This research was not supported through grants from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or non-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy

    Aida Raio

  2. Center Agriculture Food Environment C3A, University of Trento/Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all’Adige, TN, Italy

    Gerardo Puopolo

  3. Department of Sustainable Agro-Ecosystems and Bioresources, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all’Adige, TN, Italy

    Gerardo Puopolo

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  1. Aida Raio
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Correspondence to Aida Raio.

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Raio, A., Puopolo, G. Pseudomonas chlororaphis metabolites as biocontrol promoters of plant health and improved crop yield. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 37, 99 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-021-03063-w

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