Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria and Bacterial Biocontrol Agents in Tomato Disease Management: Mechanisms, Applications, and Omics Perspectives.

Plant diseases, agricultural intensification, and climatic catastrophes such as drought have all has a significant impact on agricultural production in recent years. For decades, synthetic agrochemicals have been the primary tool for disease management and yield enhancement. However, their use poses significant environmental and health risks. There are many studies on plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and bacterial biocontrol agents (BCA) as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic agrochemicals. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the direct and indirect mechanisms by which PGPR and BCA enhance tomato growth and suppress pathogens. Although some of these PGPR and BCA are known, their mechanisms are not completely understood. Emerging omics approaches, which include genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, are highlighted as powerful tools for elucidating plant-microbe interactions and guiding next-generation biocontrol strategies. By critically examining overlapping mechanisms and applications, this review clarifies the complementary roles of PGPR, BCA, and "omics" and identifies research gaps for more consistent and scalable use in agriculture.