Identification of the conservediolgene cluster involved in rhizosphere competence inPseudomonas

Abstract

ThePseudomonasgenus has shown great potential as a sustainable solution to support agriculture through its plant-growth promoting and biocontrol activities. However, their efficacy as bioinoculants is limited by unpredictable colonization in natural conditions. Our study identifies theiollocus, a gene cluster inPseudomonasinvolved in inositol catabolism, as a feature enriched among superior root colonizers in natural soil. Further characterization revealed that theiollocus increases competitiveness by inducing swimming motility and fluorescent siderophore production in response to inositol, a plant-derived compound. Public data analyses indicate that theiollocus is broadly conserved in thePseudomonasgenus and linked to diverse host-microbe interactions. Our findings suggest theiollocus as a potential target for developing more effective bioinoculants, given its conservation and association with diverse host-microbe interactions.