Archivio Journal of Plant Pathology

Abstract:

Certain Paenibacillus polymyxa strains that associate with many plant species have been used effectively in the control of plant pathogenic fungi and bacteria. In this article we review the possible mechanism of action by which P. polymyxa promotes plant growth and suppresses some plant diseases. Furthermore we present an updated summary of antibiotics, autolysis, hydrolytic and autolytic enzymes and levanase produced by this bacterium. Some hazards and mild pathogenic effects are also reported, but these appear to be strain-specific and negligible. The association between plants and P. polymyxa seems to be specific and to involve co-adaptation processes. There is every reason to believe that gaining an improved understanding of these processes will enhance and facilitate efforts to wean off farmers dependence on a wide range of agricultural chemicals.