Summary
This narrative review synthesises current understanding of how biocontrol bacteria establish and maintain colonisation of plant tissues, progressing from root-zone establishment through systemic spread to above-ground organs. The authors examine the molecular and ecological mechanisms facilitating this process—including bacterial movement through vascular and apoplastic spaces, cell-to-cell communication via quorum sensing, and enzymatic activities—and discuss implications for plant microbiome dynamics and overall plant health. The review aims to inform targeted strategies for optimising biocontrol bacterial efficacy in sustainable crop protection.
Regional applicability
The paper is a mechanistic review without reported geographic specificity in its abstract; the findings on bacterial colonisation pathways are broadly applicable to United Kingdom farming contexts, though efficacy and adoption would depend on local pathogen pressures, crop types, and soil conditions.
Key measures
Colonisation mechanisms; bacterial migration pathways; quorum sensing; extracellular enzyme production; plant microbiome dynamics; nutrient cycling; plant health outcomes
Outcomes reported
The review synthesises mechanisms by which biocontrol bacteria colonise plant tissues from roots through to above-ground organs, and explores how these colonisation processes enhance plant health and pathogen control efficacy. It examines bacterial movement through plant vascular systems, quorum sensing, extracellular enzyme activity, and the establishment of long-term plant-microbe associations.
Topic tags
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