Advances in plant growth promoting rhizobacteria for biological control of plant diseases

Abstract

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) colonizes the root system of plants and can modulate plant growth by enhancing the availability of nutrients and protect the plant from phytopathogens. For a long period, PGPR were mainly used as biofertilizers in agriculture fields. Biological control of plant diseases has emerged as a promising alternative to synthetic pesticides and fungicides. Recently, the application of PGPR has been extended to control several diseases in economically important plants. Numerous unequivocal evidences suggest that PGPR play a key role in the suppression of various plant pathogens by different mechanisms. This review presents the recent advances in our understanding of biological control by PGPR and their interactions with the plant system.