Increased growth response of plants induced by rhizobacteria antagonistic to soilborne pathogenic fungi

Rhizobacteria applied into pathogen-free soil or peat vermiculite medium, were established in the rhizosphere of plants in population densities of up to 1.9×10⁹ cfu/g. Pseudomonads induced up to 78% bigger roots in tomatoes rooted in water. Pythium-suppressive bacteria increased dry weight of either roots or shoots of tomato, pepper, melon or bean. Fusarium-suppressive bacteria increased emergence of tobacco, cucmber or radish by 10-31% and dry weight by up to 165%. Isolates of the tested bacteria varied in their ability to induce increased emergence and growth of the treated crops.