Beneficial bacteria support tomato growth and suppress disease
Bacterial canker, a vascular infection, can wreak havoc on tomato plants, with symptoms ranging from wilted leaves to the collapse of an entire plant. Clavibacter michiganensis, the seedborne pathogen that causes the disease, can be challenging to treat because it spreads easily. "This pathogen is really problematic, especially in greenhouses," said microbiologist Eric Déziel, Ph.D., at the…
Tomato plants suffering from bacterial canker, a contagious vascular infection, can experience wilted leaves and even collapse. The pathogen, Clavibacter michiganensis, is particularly troublesome in greenhouse settings due to its ease of transmission. Dr. Eric Déziel, a microbiologist at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) in Quebec, Canada, has been researching potential solutions.
In a recent study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Déziel and his team discovered bacterial strains that not only combat tomato canker but also foster plant growth. The strains, Pantoea agglomerans SO16PY and two Pseudomonas marginalis strains, were effective in delaying the onset of canker by up to a week and reducing disease severity.
While current treatments are limited and show poor efficacy, these beneficial bacteria could potentially provide a sustainable, environmentally friendly method to enhance plant health in agriculture. However, further research is needed to stabilize the bacteria for commercial use.
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