Comparative genomics identified a genetic locus in plant-associated Pseudomonas spp. that is necessary for induced systemic susceptibility

Plant root-associated microbes promote plant growth and induce systemic resistance (ISR) to foliar pathogens. In an attempt to find novel growth-promoting and ISR-inducing strains, we previously identified strains of root-associated Pseudomonas spp. that promote plant growth but unexpectedly induced systemic susceptibility (ISS) rather than ISR to foliar pathogens. Here we demonstrate that the ISS-inducing phenotype is common among root-associated