Pectic homogalacturonan sensed by acts as host associated cue to promote establishment and persistence in the rhizosphere.

isolates are among the most promising plant-associated beneficial bacteria used as biocontrol agents. However, various aspects of the chemical communication between the plant and these beneficials, determining root colonization ability, remain poorly described. Here we investigated the molecular basis of such interkingdom interaction occurring upon contact between and its host via the sensing of pectin backbone homogalacturonan (HG). We showed that . stimulates key developmental traits via a dynamic process involving two conserved pectinolytic enzymes. This response integrates transcriptional changes leading to the switch from planktonic to sessile cells, a strong increase in biofilm formation, and an accelerated sporulation dynamics while conserving the potential to efficiently produce specialized secondary metabolites. As a whole, we anticipate that this response of to cell wall-derived host cues contributes to its establishment and persistence in the competitive rhizosphere niche and to its activity as biocontrol agent.