Weed seed predation rate in cereals as a function of seed density and patch size,under high predation pressure by rodents

Weed seed predation is an ecosystem service, influencing weed population dynamics. The impact of weed seed predation on weed population dynamics depends on how predators respond to seed patches at the field scale. Seed predation will be most effective if the proportion of seeds predated increases with increasing size and seed density of patches. Density‐dependent rodent seed predation was measured by varying seed density and patch size in four irrigated conventionally managed cereal fields in north eastern Spain. Artificial weed seed patches were created by applying a range of Lolium multiflorum seed densities from 0 to 7500 seeds m^?2 in 225 m² patches (2008) or in patches that varied in size from 1 to 9 m² (2009). Seed predation was estimated using seed cards and seed frames. The granivorous rodents Mus spretus and Apodemus sylvaticus caused high seed predation rates (92%) in three fields, whereas in a fourth field, it was lower (47%). Rodents responded in an inversely density‐dependent manner, but this had little biological meaning as even in patches seeded with the highest density, the input to the soil seedbank was reduced by 88%. For the period of time this experiment lasted, hardly any new seeds would have entered the seedbank.     

Seed dormancy and soil seedbank of the invasive weed Chenopodium hybridum in north‐western China

Seed dormancy and persistence in the soil seedbank play a key role in timing of germination and seedling emergence of weeds; thus, knowledge of these traits is required for effective weed management. We investigated seed dormancy and seed persistence on/in soil of Chenopodium hybridum, an annual invasive weed in north‐western China. Fresh seeds are physiologically dormant. Sulphuric acid scarification, mechanical scarification and cold stratification significantly increased germination percentages, whereas dry storage and treatments with plant growth regulators or nitrate had no effect. Dormancy was alleviated by piercing the seed coat but not the pericarp. Pre‐treatment of seeds collected in 2012 and 2013 with sulphuric acid for 30 min increased germination from 0% to 66% and 62% respectively. Effect of cold stratification on seed germination varied with soil moisture content (MC) and duration of treatment; seeds stratified in soil with 12% MC for 2 months germinated to 39%. Burial duration, burial depth and their interaction had significant effects on seed dormancy and seed viability. Dormancy in fresh seeds was released from October to February, and seeds re‐entered dormancy in April. Seed viability decreased with time for seeds on the soil surface and for those buried at a depth of 5 cm, and 39% and 10%, respectively, were viable after 22 months. Thus, C. hybridum can form at least a short‐lived persistent soil seedbank.     

Germination ecology of Leptochloa chinensis: a new weed in the Italian rice agro-environment

Leptochloa chinensis is a new weed that has been found with increasing frequency in Italian rice paddies. The germination ecology of L. chinensis seeds was studied in order to investigate the development mechanisms and survival strategy of this weed in rice paddies of northern Italy. Leptochloa chinensis seeds showed no dormancy and exhibited germination even in anoxic conditions. Germination was strongly influenced by temperature (minimum around 15°C; optimal 25–35°C) and light (phytochrome dependent). Temperature fluctuation caused an increase of seed germination in the dark. Seed burial also strongly inhibited germination and emergence of this species. At 5 cm seed burial only 5% of seedlings emerged in flooded conditions, while at the same depth, but with no flooding, no seedling emergence was observed. This phenomenon was not due to oxygen depletion, as germination was not inhibited by complete anoxia, as demonstrated by the fact that some seedlings did emerge in flooding conditions when water was no deeper than 6 cm. Seed burial and concomitant flooding induced an unusual germination: first coleoptile emergence and subsequently emergence of the radicle was observed. The possible exploitation of this knowledge for weed management is discussed.     

Growth,population dynamics,and diversity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium equiseti</Emphasis> in ginseng fields

Fusarium equiseti is prevalent in ginseng soil, straw mulch and in ginseng root tissues and is the cause of a root surface discolouration on ginseng grown in British Columbia. Population levels of the fungus in ginseng fields ranged from 3.8 × 10³ cfu g⁻¹ soil to 1.4 × 10⁴ cfu g⁻¹ soil and were highest at 0–5 cm soil depths compared to 10–15 cm. Soil population levels were negatively correlated with S content in soil and positively correlated with Zn levels. Barley or wheat straw added to soil significantly increased population levels under laboratory conditions. Mycelial growth in culture was highest at 26–30°C and at pH 7.2–7.8. Samples of flowers and berries, and harvested seed, contained DNA of F. equiseti detected using a Fusarium-specific DNA array and the fungus was isolated from these tissues on agar medium. A high degree of genetic variation in the EF-1 alpha gene sequence was present among 52 isolates of F. equiseti which originated from ginseng fields. At least seven clades were identified. Inoculum dispersal from straw mulch used in ginseng gardens can result in seed contamination by the fungus. In addition, fungal growth near the soil surface under warm summer conditions can result in infection and crown discolouration of ginseng roots.     

Tillage and herbicide treatments with inter‐row cultivation influence weed densities and yield of three industrial crops

Field experiments were conducted in northern Greece in 2003 and 2004 to evaluate effects of tillage regimes (moldboard plowing, chisel plowing, and rotary tilling), cropping sequences (continuous cotton, cotton‐sugar beet rotation, and continuous tobacco) and herbicide treatments with inter‐row hand hoeing on weed population densities. Total weed densities were not affected by tillage treatment except that of barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus‐galli), which increased only in moldboard plowing treated plots during 2003. Redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) and black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) densities were reduced in continuous cotton, while purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus), E. crus‐galli, S. nigrum, and johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) densities were reduced in tobacco. A. retroflexus and S. nigrum were effectively controlled by all herbicide treatments with inter‐row hand hoeing, whereas E. crus‐galli was effectively reduced by herbicides applied to cotton and tobacco. S. halepense density reduction was a result of herbicide applied to tobacco with inter‐row hand hoeing. Yield of all crops was higher under moldboard plowing and herbicide treatments. Pre‐sowing and pre‐emergence herbicide treatments in cotton and pre‐transplant in tobacco integrated with inter‐row cultivation resulted in efficient control of annual weed species and good crop yields. These observations are of practical relevance to crop selection by farmers in order to maintain weed populations at economically acceptable densities through the integration of various planting dates, sustainable herbicide use and inter‐row cultivation; tools of great importance in integrated weed management systems.     

Competition between Solanum nigrum and pepper in the presence of Meloidogyne incognita

The influence of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood on the competitive relationships between pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and Solanum nigrum L. (black nightshade) was investigated in a glasshouse experiment. Seven competition treatments were set up: two intraspecific for the crop and the weed and five interspecific treatments in which the emergence of S. nigrum plants was progressively delayed with respect to that of the pepper. Nematodes reproduced in every inoculated plant and their multiplication rates were high in both pepper and S. nigrum. The parasite reduced all growth and yield parameters of the crop, but did less harm to the weed. The negative effect of S. nigrum on pepper peaked in the treatment in which the weed and pepper plants emerged together. S. nigrum was a stronger competitor than pepper under both nematode-infested and nematode-free conditions. The effect of nematodes on pepper yield was less than that of competition, but both appeared to be additive.     

Differences between spring wheat cultivars in tolerance to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> seedling blight under organic field conditions

Use of Fusarium-infected seed for cereal crops results in a reduced plant density due to seedling blight. This is especially a problem in organic agriculture, for which currently no practical seed disinfection methods are available. In the present paper we investigated whether spring wheat cultivars differ in tolerance to seedling blight in vivo, whether the possible differences could be linked to cultivar differences in initial growth rates, and whether differences in weed infestation were related to differences in emergence. Seed six spring wheat cultivars (Melon, Lavett, SW Kungsjett, Epos, Pasteur, Thasos), containing three Fusarium infection levels were obtained and sown in two field experiments in 2006 and 2007 and in an outdoor pot experiment in 2007. Results indicated that the six spring wheat cultivars differed in their tolerance to seedling blight, and consequently in the percentage of emergence of their seeds. The relative levels of tolerance to seedling blight of the six cultivars were robust in the three experiments performed. No clear relationship between initial growth rates and tolerance was found. In our experiments, no early and homogenous weed pressure was present, but in the 2007 field experiment a relationship between initial seedling emergence and weed infestation after anthesis was determined. Based on the presented results we suggest that additional to resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB), differences in tolerance to seedling blight should also be considered during selection of wheat cultivars for organic agriculture.     

Postdispersal seed predation by Teleogryllus emma (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) reduces the seedling emergence of a non‐native grass weed,Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum)

The potential impact of postdispersal seed predation by the field cricket, Teleogryllus emma (Ohmachi et Matsuura), on the seedling emergence of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), a non‐native grass weed in Japan, was determined. The relationship between cricket density and the proportion of seedling emergence was investigated by conducting manipulative experiments in duplicate, using enclosures. One‐thousand seeds of Italian ryegrass were exposed to adult crickets at different densities (zero, one, two, four and eight individuals per 2.25 m² enclosure) for 2 weeks. The proportion of seedling emergence decreased with increasing cricket density. The proportion of seedling emergence in the enclosures without the crickets was 90.9–97.2%, whereas the seedling emergence in the enclosures with eight crickets greatly decreased, to 0.5–2.5%. These results suggest that postdispersal seed predation by T. emma can substantially decrease the abundance of Italian ryegrass at an early life stage and reduce its population in environments with a high density of crickets.     

Germination,emergence, and persistence of Sonchus oleraceus,a major crop weed in subtropical Australia

Sonchus oleraceus (common sowthistle) is a dominant weed and has increased in prevalence in conservation cropping systems of the subtropical grain region of Australia. Four experiments were undertaken to define the environmental factors that favor its germination, emergence, and seed persistence. Seeds were germinated at constant temperatures between 5 and 35°C and water potentials between 0 and ?1.4 MPa. The maximum germination rate of 86–100% occurred at 0 and ?0.2 MPa, irrespective of the temperature when exposed to light (12 h photoperiod light/dark), but the germination rate was reduced by 72% without light. At water potentials of ?0.6 to ?0.8 MPa, the germination rate was reduced substantially by higher temperatures; no seed germinated at a water potential >?1.0 MPa. Emergence and seed persistence were measured over 30 months following seed burial at 0 (surface), 1, 2, 5, and 10 cm depths in large pots that were buried in a south‐eastern Queensland field. Seedlings emerged readily from the surface and 1 cm depth, with no emergence from below the 2 cm depth. The seedlings emerged during any season following rain but, predominantly, within 6 months of planting. Seed persistence was short‐term on the soil surface, with 2% of seeds remaining after 6 months, but it increased with the burial depth, with 12% remaining after 30 months at 10 cm. Thus, a minimal seed burial depth with reduced tillage and increased surface soil water with stubble retention has favored the proliferation of this weed in any season in a subtropical environment. However, diligent management without seed replenishment will greatly reduce this weed problem within a short period.     

Modelling the effect of weed-seed distribution in the soil profile on seedling emergence

Experiments to monitor weed seedling emergence from various soil depths were begun in 1989. Recently shed seeds were buried in either narrow bands at a range of depths in the soil or mixed evenly between the soil surface and each of these depths. Total emergence of Stellaria media (L.) Vill., Matricaria spp., Veronica persica Poiret, Veronica arvensis L. and Polygonum aviculare L., declined with increasing depth of burial. A similar pattern was observed for Chenopodium album L. with the exception of emergence from the surface layer. The reduction in emergence with increasing soil depth was greater for seeds in the narrow-banded treatments than for those in broad layers. A model was developed using the data from the narrow-banded treatments to predict emergence from distributions over broad layers. Predictions from the model closely agree with the data from the present broad-layer treatments and those from a similar experiment made in the 1960s. By including the effects of depth of seed burial on seedling emergence, this model could be combined with models that determine the effects of cultivation on seed distribution, and therefore improve precision of predictions of seedling emergence from the seedbank.     

Seed survival and patterns of seedling emergence studies of Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) W.D. Clayton in cultivated soils

The longevity of buried Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) W.D. Clayton seed represents a major survival mechanism for the weed, enabling the persistence of a continuing source of weed seeds in crop land. The pattern of seed persistence and depletion of R. cochinchinensis in cultivated maize soils was investigated by means of (1) studies on the effect of depth and duration of burial on the viability of the weed seeds, (2) quantitative estimation of the seed population and viability in cultivated fields, and (3) the periodicity of emergence and effects of cultivation on seed germination both in the field and in the greenhouse. The results indicated that the mode of persistence was innate (8.5%) and enforced (35%) dormancy after 1 year of burial, and that the persistency component of the seed population on cultivated soils ranged from 40.60%. The weed was able to remain viable at depths of 45 cm, indicating an excellent mechanism of escaping the effects of most soil-applied herbicides, and it was shown that tillage increases the depletion rate of the weed seed reserve by 32% per year.     

Quantification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrenophora graminea</Emphasis> in barley seed using real-time PCR

A real-time PCR assay was designed to quantify seed-borne infection of Pyrenophora graminea in barley (Hordeum vulgare). Conventional tests such as the freezing blotter method cannot distinguish P. graminea from the closely related P. teres. The seed infection threshold for P. graminea is lower than the one for P. teres and is therefore applied for both species although P. graminea may be absent. This results in unnecessary rejections of seed lots. PCR primers and a TaqMan probe were designed to target a P. graminea-specific DNA sequence. The potential of the real-time PCR assay for quantifying seed-borne infection of P. graminea was investigated by examining seed lots harvested from P. graminea-infected fields. The major part (84%) of the variation in the amount of P. graminea DNA measured by real-time PCR could be attributed to variation between seed lots while only about 8% was due to variation within seed lots. DNA quantities of P. graminea were positively correlated with seed infection incidence detected by the freezing blotter method as well as with the infection incidence of plants examined in the greenhouse. Both correlations were highly significant (P < 0.001) but the DNA quantities accounted only for 59% (R ² = 0.59) and 56% (R ² = 0.56), respectively, of the variation in the results obtained by the two conventional methods. Seed lots of varieties resistant to P. graminea contained considerable amounts of P. graminea DNA but showed no or only few leaf symptoms in the greenhouse test suggesting that the recommended seed infection thresholds could be raised for resistant varieties.     

Pathogenicity and reproductive fitness of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pratylenchus coffeae</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Radopholus arabocoffeae</Emphasis> on Arabica coffee seedlings (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Coffea arabica</Emphasis> cv. Catimor) in Vietnam

The pathogenicity and reproductive fitness of Pratylenchus coffeae and Radopholus arabocoffeae from Vietnam on coffee (Coffea arabica) seedlings cv. Catimor were evaluated in greenhouse experiments. The effect of initial population densities (Pi = 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, and 256 nematodes per cm³ soil) was studied for both species at different days after inoculation (dai). The data were adjusted to the Seinhorst damage model Y = m + (1-m).z^Pi-T. Tolerance limit (T) for P. coffeae was zero for the height and the diameter of the coffee plants. For the diameter, the T-value for R. arabocoffeae was 25.6 for 30 and 60 dai and 12.8 for 90 and 120 dai. After 4 months T was zero. The low tolerance limits indicate that Arabica coffee is highly intolerant to both nematode species. At the end of the experiment (180 dai), all plants were infected and most were dead when inoculated with R. arabocoffeae at initial densities of 32, 64, 128 and 256 nematodes/cm³ soil. For P. coffeae plant death was already observed at the lowest inoculation densities. Growth of coffee was reduced at all inoculation levels for both species. Pratylenchus coffeae and R. arabocoffeae caused intense darkening of the roots, leaf chlorosis and a strong reduction of root and shoot growth. It was observed that P. coffeae mainly destroyed lateral roots rather than tap roots, whereas R. arabocoffeae reduced tap root length rather than the lateral roots. At the lowest inoculum densities, the reproduction factor of P. coffeae was 2.38 and 2.01 for R. arabocoffeae, indicating that arabica coffee is a host for both species. Plant growth as expressed by shoot height and shoot and root weight measured 60 dai was negatively correlated with nematode (both species) density as expressed by the geometric mean of nematode numbers at 30 and 60 dai.     

Seed survival and predation of Anoda cristata in soyabean crops

Anoda cristata is a troublesome annual broad-leaved weed in summer crops in the rolling Pampa in Argentina; seeds are the only source of regeneration of this species. Seed persistence or depletion is the result of survival and loss processes, including predation. The objective of this study was to determine survival at two burial depths in undisturbed soil and predation rates of A. cristata seeds in soyabean crops in different rotations and tillage systems. Survival was discontinuous and decreased to 25% after 35 months, after which no further reduction in survival was observed to the end of the experiment at 96 months. No differences in seed survival between seeds placed on the soil surface and buried 5 cm below the soil surface were found at 80 months, but at later times survival was lower for seeds placed on the soil surface. Predation rates ranged between 0.3% day⁻¹ and 6.7% day⁻¹. Of the models tested, a polynomial regression of the rate of predation with time gave the best representation of seed predation. From January to July, predation was higher in non-tillage plots in the wheat/soyabean rotation. There was no significant difference in predation rates between tillage systems in the soyabean monoculture and no difference between planting densities. Higher crop residue levels in non-tillage plots in the wheat/soyabean rotation was the dominant factor influencing seed predation, probably because such habitat favours the presence of seed predators.     

Burial depth and cultivation influence emergence and persistence of Phalaris paradoxa seed in an Australian sub-tropical environment

Emergence and persistence characteristics of Phalaris paradoxa seeds in no- and minimum-till situations and at different burial depths were studied in a sub-tropical environment. Three experiments were carried out using naturally shed seeds. In the first experiment, seedlings emerged from May through to September each year, although the majority of seedlings emerged in July. In the second experiment with greater seed density, cultivation in March of each year stimulated seedling emergence, altered the periodicity of emergence and accelerated the decline of seeds in the seedbank compared with plots that received no cultivation. The majority of seedlings in the cultivated plots emerged in May whereas the majority of seedlings in the undisturbed plots emerged in July. Emergence accounted for only 4–19% of the seedbank in both experiments over 2 years. Seed persistence was short in both field experiments, with less than 1% remaining 2 years after seed shed. In the third experiment, burial depth and soil disturbance significantly influenced seedling emergence and persistence of seed. Seedlings emerged most from seed mixed in the top 10 cm when subjected to annual soil disturbance, and from seed buried at 2.5 and 5.0 cm depths in undisturbed soil. Emergence was least from seed on the soil surface, and buried at 10 and 15 cm depths in undisturbed soil. Seeds persisted longest when shed onto the soil surface and persisted least when the soil was tilled. These results suggest that strategic cultivation may be a useful management tool, as it will alter the periodicity of emergence allowing use of more effective control options and will deplete the soil seedbank more rapidly.     

Competition of sorghum cultivars and densities with Japanese millet (Echinochloa esculenta)

Field studies were conducted at two locations in southern Queensland, Australia during the 2003–2004 and 2004–2005 growing seasons to determine the differential competitiveness of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) cultivars and crop densities against weeds and the sorghum yield loss due to weeds. Weed competition was investigated by growing sorghum in the presence or absence of a model grass weed, Japanese millet (Echinochloa esculenta). The correlation analyses showed that the early growth traits (height, shoot biomass, and daily growth rate of the shoot biomass) of sorghum adversely affected the height, biomass, and seed production of millet, as measured at maturity. “MR Goldrush” and “Bonus MR” were the most competitive cultivars, resulting in reduced weed biomass, weed density, and weed seed production. The density of sorghum also had a significant effect on the crop's ability to compete with millet. When compared to the density of 4.5 plants per m², sorghum that was planted at 7.5 plants per m² suppressed the density, biomass, and seed production of millet by 22%, 27% and 38%, respectively. Millet caused a significant yield loss in comparison with the weed‐free plots. The combined weed‐suppressive effects of the competitive cultivars, such as MR Goldrush, and high crop densities minimized the yield losses from the weeds. These results indicate that sorghum competition against grass weeds can be improved by choosing competitive cultivars and by using a high crop density of >7.5 plants per m². These non‐chemical options should be included in an integrated weed management program for better weed management, particularly where the control options are limited by the evolution of herbicide resistance.     

Effects of drought on weed emergence and growth vary with the seed burial depth and presence of a cover crop

In conservation agriculture, weed seed germination could decrease with the presence of a cover crop, surface weed seed location and temporal drought in summer just after seed shedding. This study simultaneously examined the effects of a cover crop, burial depth (seed location) and hydric stress on weed emergence and early growth. It was hypothesized that drought would reduce weed emergence and the initial growth of weed seeds and that this effect would be greater when the seeds were on the soil surface and in the presence of a cover crop. Four annual weed species were chosen that are frequently found (Anisantha sterilis, Vulpia myuros, Sonchus asper, Veronica persica) and not frequently found (Alopecurus myosuroides, Poa annua, Cyanus segetum, Capsella bursa‐pastoris) in fields that implement conservation agriculture. The unburied seeds had 26% lower emergence, on average, than the buried seeds (significant for six of the eight species), hydric stress reduced emergence by 20% (for seven of the eight species) and the presence of a cover crop reduced the level of emergence by 17% (for all species). The unburied seeds with hydric stress were emerging under the “most stressful” set of factors, with a 45% decrease in emergence, compared with the seeds emerging under the “least stressful” set of factors (buried seeds without hydric stress). All the weed growth measurements (height, dry matter content and number of leaves) decreased with the presence of a cover crop. The species that are found frequently in the fields that implement conservation agriculture, compared with the species that are not frequently found in conservation agriculture fields, had higher rates of germination and a higher tolerance of hydric stress when their seeds were unburied.     

Effect of burial depth and soil water regime on the fate of Lithospermum arvense seeds in relation to burial time

Lithospermum arvense is an increasing annual weed in winter crops of the semiarid region of southern Argentina under low impact tillage systems, an agricultural practice that has become popular in recent years. Seed distribution in the soil profile under conventional tillage will change when reduced tillage is implemented, thus affecting the germination microenvironment. The effect of seed burial depth and soil water regime on field germination, enforced dormancy, innate dormancy and seed decay was studied in relation to burial time in a field experiment. In addition, the effect of burial depth on seed germination and seedling emergence was examined under laboratory controlled conditions. Field germination of buried seed ranged from 55% to 65% for shallow (2 cm) and from 5% to 30% for greater depths (20 cm). Enforced dormancy levels were significantly higher among deeper seeds. The amount of innate dormant seeds was reduced to <10% after a year of burial. Lithospermum arvense seedbanks can be classified as short-term persistent. Germination in the laboratory was unaffected by burial depth, while seedling emergence reduction was adequately described by a sigmoidal model. Results indicate that agricultural practices that accumulate L. arvense seeds near the soil surface enhance seedling recruitment.     

Seed dynamics in populations of A vena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana

Seed populations of Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana (Durieu) Nyman were monitored in a naturally occurring infestation throughout its life cycle. Considering the large weed population present (298panicles m^?2), total seed production was relatively low: 3838 seeds m^?2. Only 68% of these seeds were recovered from the soil surface and a further 3% were removed with wheat grain and straw during harvest operations. The numbers of seeds from the stubble between mid-July and mid-September were relatively low (10%). Ploughing the stubble in October buried most of the recently produced seed rain and resulted in a relatively uniform vertical distribution of the seedbank. Maximum seed persistence in the soil ranged from 27 to 43 months (depending on the experimental technique used to do the study). Seed decline followed an exponential pattern on a yearly basis, with the greatest decline taking place between October and April (57–90% in year 1 and 10–40% in year 2), Between May and September the buried seed populations remained practically constant. Seedbank depletion was primarily due to seedling production (25%) and ‘lethal’ germination (24%). Although the depth of burial had very little effect on seed survival, the mode of seed disappearance was closely related to their depth in the soil. Seed depletion through ‘lethal’ germination increased with increasing depth in the soil, whereas depletion through seedling emergence decreased with increasing depth.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas</Emphasis> sp. LSW25R,antagonistic to plant pathogens,promoted plant growth,and reduced blossom-end rot of tomato fruits in a hydroponic system

A Gram-negative rhizobacterial isolate (LSW25) antagonistic to Pseudomonas corrugata, a vein necrosis pathogen of tomato, and promotes the growth of tomato seedlings was isolated from surface-sterilised tomato roots. A spontaneous rifampicin-resistant mutant (LSW25R) was selected to facilitate its tracking, and identified as Pseudomonas sp. and named as Pseudomonas sp. LSW25R (LSW25R), based on its sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and 16 S rRNA gene. LSW25R inhibited mycelial growth of 12 other plant fungal pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea on V8 agar plates. By using a scanning electron microscope, LSW25R colonised not only the root surface around the natural aperture of tomato radicles but also under epidermal cells like endophytic bacteria. LSW25R successfully colonised the roots of tomato, eggplant and pepper seedlings, significantly promoted the fresh weight, height and dry matter of tomato plants at 10⁸ cfu·ml⁻¹, and increased the plant growth of eggplants and peppers at 10⁴ cfu·ml⁻¹, suggesting that the optimal population density of LSW25R for growth promotion varies from species to species. Moreover, densities of LSW25R inside roots and the lowest leaf of tomato plants were > 9.3 × 10³ cfu·g⁻¹. Although the growth promotion of tomato by LSW25R was observed under N- or Ca-deficient conditions as well as a standard nutrient condition, the uptake of calcium was increased only under the standard nutrient condition. In a hydroponic system, LSW25R not only successfully colonised the rhizosphere during cultivation due to its broad spectrum of antifungal activity and endophytic colonisation, but also reduced blossom-end rot of tomato fruits presumably through increasing calcium uptake.