Production of volatiles organic compounds in PGPRs

Abstract

Bacteria affect plant growth through several mechanisms. A recentlydescribed mechanism involves the production of microbial volatile organic com- pounds (mVOCs), which are gaseous molecules capable of interacting with plants in the soil environment. mVOCs may promote plant growth directly, through induced resistance systemic (ISR), or indirectly through suppression of phytopathogens (biocontrol). In this chapter, we describe several experimental designs for evaluation of mVOCs effects on plant growth, ISR or biocontrol mechanisms; potential problems with the methodologies and possible solutions. To date, relatively few mVOCs have been identified and their effects on plant growth characterized. Generally, the effect observed on a particular plant?bacterium interaction was attributed to the pool of mVOCs produced, like an evidence of synergism among chemical compounds.