Diversity and occurrence of<i>Burkholderia</i>spp. in the natural environment

Both in natural and in managed ecosystems, bacteria are common inhabitants of the phytosphere and the internal tissues of plants. Probably the most diverse and environmentally adaptable plant-associated bacteria belong to the genus Burkholderia. This genus is well-known for its human, animal and plant pathogenic members, including the Burkholderia cepacia complex. However, it also contains species and strains that are beneficial to plants and can be potentially exploited in biotechnological processes. Here we present an overview of plant-associated Burkholderia spp. with special emphasis on beneficial plant-Burkholderia interactions. A discussion of the potential for utilization of stable plant-Burkholderia spp. associations in the development of low-input cropping systems is also provided.