PGPR-Mediated Plant Immunity: From Microbial Recognition to Epigenetic Priming.

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Microbiology
• Plant Science
• Epigenetics

Background:

• Sustainable agriculture seeks alternatives to chemical pesticides.
• Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are beneficial microbes that enhance plant health and suppress pathogens.
• Emerging evidence suggests PGPR influence plant immunity via epigenetic mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on epigenetic regulation in plant-PGPR interactions.
• To explore how PGPR signals modulate plant defense gene expression through epigenetic modifications.
• To discuss the potential of PGPR-induced epigenetic changes for crop protection.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA pathways in plant-PGPR interactions.
• Analysis of molecular mechanisms of PGPR-induced plant immune signaling.
• Examination of bacterial signals and their role in chromatin remodeling at defense genes.

Main Results:

• PGPR colonization triggers plant immune responses through various signaling pathways.
• Bacterial signals like LPS, flagellin, and VOCs reshape chromatin structure at plant defense genes.
• Epigenetic modifications may influence induced systemic resistance and potentially be heritable.

Conclusions:

• PGPR-induced epigenetic changes are a promising avenue for environmentally friendly crop protection.
• Further research is needed for field-level validation and mechanistic studies in diverse crop species.