assimilate phosphorus (P) and other nutrients, continuously interact and influence plant root development in the soil (Remans et al. 2008). Inoculating plants
with rhizobacteria can also provide systemic resistance against a broad spectrum of plant pathogens (Bais et al. 2004)
A prerequisite for introducing these beneficial bacteria in the environment is that, in addition to plant growth promoting, it should have the ability to compete with soil microflora. Thus, it is important to isolate and characterise native bacteria to be used as potential inoculants in the same area where they were obtained. The advantage of using natural soil isolates over the genetically manipulated or those isolated from a different environmental set-up is the easier adaptation and success when inoculated into the plant rhizosphere (Chen et al. 2006).
Among the rhizobacteria, efficacy of Bacillus and Pseudomonas strains in promoting tomato growth and reduction of Fusarium wilt are evaluated in greenhouse and field conditions, positively (Joseph et al. 2008; Saravanakumar et al. 2009; Akhtar et al. 2010; Ling et al. 2010; Manikandan et al. 2010; Zhao et al. 2013). Bacillus species are safe and efficient biocontrol agents that produce several inhibitory substances such as antibiotics, hydrolytic enzymes and volatile compounds which are often active against a broad spectrum of fungal pathogens (Stein 2005).
Tomato is a widespread agricultural plant with economic significance. This plant (Solanum lycopersicum mobile) has been planted in several regions of Iran and vascular wilt by F. oxysporum species is the main disease throughout most tomato-growing regions of the country (Amini 2009). The current study aimed at evaluating the possibility of native Bacillus pumilus species to control Fusarium wilt in tomato. Several plant growth promotion factors of bacterial strains were also determined