Pseudomonads: Plant growth promotion and beyond

Abstract

Members of the genus Pseudomonas are a ubiquitous and important component of the soil and rhizospheric ecosystems, where they play multifarious roles such as the recycling of organic matter, promotion of plant growth, alleviation of abiotic stress effects in plants, and degradation of xenobiotic compounds. The versatility and ecological fitness of this genus has been often attributed to its metabolic versatility and its ability to produce antagonistic molecules, thereby gaining a niche advantage in the rhizosphere. This chapter attempts to briefly explore the historical evolution of this genus and explore the various facets of Pseudomonads, which confer upon them a distinct edge over other soil microbes. The utility of Pseudomonads both within and beyond the realm of plant growth promotion, in the agro and related ecosystems, is also discussed in brief.