Effect of rhizosphere bacteria Pseudomonas aureofaciens on the resistance of micropropagated plants to phytopathogens

Effects of colonization of micropropagated potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and strawberry (Fragaria L.) plants by the rhizosphere bacterium Pseudomonas aureofaciens strain BS1393 (VKM B-2188 D) on plant growth and resistance to bacterial and fungal phytopathogens were studied. Pseudomonad colonization improved the physiological characteristics of plants and enhanced their adaptation to in vivo conditions. The presence of P. aureofaciens cells in various plant tissues (leaves, stems, and roots) in vitro was demonstrated on the background of plant cocolonization by two associative strains—P. aureofaciens strain BS1393 (VKM-B-2188 D) and Methylovorus mays (VKM-B-2221). The colonized plants displayed an increased resistance to the phytopathogens Erwinia carotovora, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and Phytophthora infestans. These results demonstrate that pseudomonades are promising for practical application in the microbial protection of plants against phytopathogens.