title: Biological control of plant root pathogens.
abstract: Rhizobacteria introduced to control soil-borne root diseases must establish metabolically active populations that mediate protection either by direct antagonism of pathogens or by stimulation of host plant defenses. Recent interest has focused on the genetic and biochemical basis of disease control and the influence of environmental factors on the expression and activity of biocontrol mechanisms. The cloning and sequencing of genes involved in the production of microbial metabolites playing key roles in plant defense opens new possibilities for improving the performance of biocontrol agents.
authors.affiliation: Root Disease and Biological Control Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture, Pullman, Washington 99164-6430, USA. Thomasho@mail.wsu.edu
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Thomashow
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001407:Bacillus / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D001709:Biotechnology; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D011549:Pseudomonas / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D017262:Siderophores / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017262:Siderophores