Plant health promotion
Plant health promotion results from interactions between soil organisms and plants which trigger induced resistance and defence responses, and enhance plant metabolism. Induced resistance and defence occurs when the interaction with a soil organism activates a plant’s defence mechanisms directed against pathogens/pests[1],[2],[3] this may be triggered by the pathogen/pest itself or harmless biota. On the other hand, plant metabolism enhancement may be triggered by soil organisms, but it is not directed against a specific pathogen/pest present. Rather, plant metabolism enhancement renders the plant more resistant to pathogens and pests, for examples enhancing plant nutrition via N fixation or producing growth stimulating phytohormones by growth-promoting microorganisms[4],
[1] Avis TJ et al. 2008. Multifaceted beneficial effects of rhizosphere microorganisms on plant health and productivity. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 40, 1733–1740.
[2] Lemanceau P et al. 2006. Contribution of studies on suppressive soils to the identification of bacterial biocontrol agents and to the knowledge of their modes of action, in: Plant-Associated Bacteria. Springer Netherlands, pp. 231–267.
[3] van Loon LC et al. 1998. Systemic resistance induced by rhizhosphere bacteria. Annual Review of Phytopathology 36: 453–483.
[4] Berg G. et al. 2017. Plant microbial diversity is suggested as the key to future biocontrol and health trends. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 93: 1–9.