Studies done on Pseudmonas fluorescens have shown the microbe’s potential benefit in bioremediation against several strains of plant pathogens. The results of the experiment showed that at high concentrations all five strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens tested inhibit spore production by pathogenic plant fungus. Fungi such as Alternaria cajani and Curvularia lunata grow on plant surfaces causing disease and death of the plant. Plant treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescens can prevent these fungi from growing and spreading through spore production. Pseudomonas fluorescens grows at an optimum temperature of 25 degrees Celsius but can also survive in temperatures as low as 0 degrees C. Therefore, it is rarely pathogenic in humans making it an effective microbe for treating crops since it is not able to survive in the human body. Pseudomonas species are effective against mold causing disease in produce such as apples and pears. This and further studies of Pseudomonas fluorescens will determine its effectiveness an alternative to chemical fungicides.
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