Plant growth-promoting Pseudomonas strains modulate potato tuberization signalling and development
Arti Mishra1,2, Lovely Mahawar1, Angeliki Tsitouri1
1Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC), Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University, Umeå 901 87, Sweden.
Journal of Experimental Botany
|May 20, 2026
Summary
Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) consortia influence potato development by modulating root signaling. These beneficial bacteria impact tuber quality and activate key genes for tuberization and defense.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Plant Science
- Agronomy
Background:
- Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) enhance plant development via hormone signaling, nutrient mobilization, and defense activation.
- Microbial consortia's synergistic effects on crop development, especially signaling, are poorly understood.
- Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a vital global crop, making it an ideal model for studying beneficial microbe-plant interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the impact of two PGPR strains (Pseudomonas protegens CHA0 and P. simiae WCS417), alone and combined, on potato cultivars.
- Analyze bacterial root colonization, metabolic interactions within consortia, and plant responses.
- Elucidate the influence of PGPR on potato tuber development and signaling pathways.
Main Methods:
- Inoculation of potato cultivars ('Mandel', 'Désirée') with individual PGPR strains or a consortium.
- Confocal microscopy for root colonization assessment.
- Metabolomic profiling of bacterial exudates.
- Analysis of plant vegetative growth and tuber quality traits (starch, ascorbic acid).
- Gene expression analysis focusing on tuberization regulators (StSP6A) and signaling pathways (jasmonic acid).
Main Results:
- Both PGPR strains rapidly colonized potato roots within 24 hours.
- Bacterial consortia exhibited distinct, non-additive metabolic profiles, indicating interactions.
- Plant responses, including growth and tuber quality, were cultivar-dependent.
- Significant induction of the tuberization regulator StSP6A and activation of jasmonic acid pathways were observed, particularly with P. protegens and combined treatments.
Conclusions:
- Interactions between Pseudomonas strains influence potato development.
- PGPR consortia coordinate effects on root architecture and signaling pathways.
- These interactions impact tuberization and plant defense mechanisms, offering potential for agricultural applications.
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