Ralstonia solanacearum infection induces tobacco root to secrete chemoattractants to recruit antagonistic bacteria and defensive compounds to inhibit pathogen

Abstract

Plant root exudates play crucial roles in maintaining the structure and function of the whole belowground ecosystem and regulating the interactions between roots and soil microorganisms. Ralstonia solanacearum causes bacterial wilt disease in many plants, while root exudate-mediated inhibition of pathogen infection is poorly understood. Here, we characterize the chemical divergence between root exudates of healthy and diseased tobacco plants and the effects of that variability on the rhizosphere microbial community and the occurrence of bacterial wilt.