Rhizosphere bacterial warfare and host plant immunity

The term “bacterial warfare” usually brings to mind frightening images of widespread infectious disease. However, the vast majority of bacteria perform functions that are essential for host health, such as joining with our immune system to fight off dangerous bacterial invaders. Prior research suggests that plant immune systems secrete hormones that may recruit benificial bacteria in the rhizosphere, the region of soil in direct contact with plant roots. This ignite talk will focus on research investigating the ways in which plants select for bacterial mutualists to join with their immune system to fight off potentially dangerous bacterial invaders.