Induced systemic resistance -like responses elicited by rhizobia

TONELLI, MARÍA LAURA; FIGUEREDO, MARÍA SOLEDAD; RODRÍGUEZ, JOHAN; FABRA, ADRIANA; IBAÑEZ, FERNANDO

PLANT AND SOIL

SPRINGER

Año: 2020 vol. 448 p. 1 - 14

0032-079X

Rhizobia are soil bacteria that engage intoa mutualistic symbiosis with plants and benefit the hostby fixing atmospheric N. In addition, rhizobia can beconsidered as biocontrol agents, contributing to planthealth through direct inhibition of a wide range ofpathogens. More recently, it became evident that rhizobialinvasion of plant roots can also trigger an increasedsystemic resistance state in the host, a process resemblingthe Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR) mechanism.However, this indirect biocontrol property ofrhizobia was relatively less explored.Scope In this review article, we present an overview ofthe current knowledge of ISR -like responses induced byrhizobia, considering general characteristics of this phenomenon,discussing the molecular pathways leading tothis response and highlighting potential links betweenISR -like responses and the nodulation signalingpathway.Conclusions A more detailed knowledge of these re-sponses can result in development of biotechnologicaltools for sustainable crop production, through optimizationof the systemic protective effect conferred byrhizobia.