Quantification of the potential biocontrol and direct plant growth promotion abilities based on multiple biological traits distinguish different groups of Pseudomonas spp. isolates

Publication date: November 2015 Source:Biological Control, Volume 90 Author(s): Betina C. Agaras, Mercedes Scandiani, Alicia Luque, Leticia Fernández, Florencia Farina, Marcelo Carmona, Marcela Gally, Ana Romero, Luis Wall, Claudio Valverde Members of the Pseudomonas genus colonize the rhizosphere of different plant species and display plant-probiotic traits. Therefore, they are interesting candidates for biological agricultural inputs to stimulate plant development and/or promote crop health. We have generated a collection of 19 isolates of pseudomonads obtained from either bulk soil or the rhizosphere of healthy individuals of major extensive crops from different plots under no-till management located in Argentina. Isolates were selected for their ability to antagonize several fungal pathogens recovered from infected soybean and maize plants. Partial sequencing of 16S rDNA, oprF and rpoB genes positioned isolates within all major pseudomonads groups. Most isolates colonized the rhizosphere of soybean and maize seedlings without affecting germination or development. Members of the Pseudomonas chlororaphis subgroup, and one isolate of the Pseudomonas putida subgroup, displayed the widest antifungal spectrum and strongest antagonistic potential. A principal component analysis based on the outcome of quantitative and qualitative tests related to biocontrol of fungal pathogens, direct plant growth promotion, and other root colonization-related traits, sh...

Source: Biological Control - August 17, 2015 Category: Biology Source Type: research