Full bibliography

This work summarizes the roles of various plant promoting (PGP) microorganism on several types of plant hosts. In particular, rhizosphere dwelling bacteria and fungi that increase plant growth, protect plants from pathogens, and increase tolerance to abiotic stresses are presented. These traits are due, in part, to the production of enzymes, hormones, and a plethora a various metabolites produced by rhizosphere microorganisms that directly or indirectly benefit the plants. The impact of selective grazing by bacterivorous protozoa on plant growth promotion is also examined. In addition to reviewing research from other investigators, this paper introduces a recently isolated Pseudomonad bacterium that has demonstrated growth promotion and protection of heirloom tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) in the face of both abiotic and biotic stresses. Our findings indicate that the novel Pseudomonas koreensis strain could serve as an agricultural inoculant to induce plant growth and protection. The potential to create effective bioinoculum using rhizosphere microorganisms is discussed.