Abstract:Siderophores are small organic molecules produced by microorganisms under iron-limiting conditions which enhance the uptake of iron to microorganisms. Bacterial siderophores play an important role in antagonizing plant pathogens and promoting plant growth. In this paper, we summarized the mechanisms of bacterial siderophores against plant pathogenic fungi, such as nutrient competition, niche competition, eliciting inducible systemic resistance in plants, and disrupting the iron homeostasis of pathogens, and the plant growth-promoting effect of the siderophores, aiming at clarifying the potential of bacterial siderophores in the development of multifunctional microbial agents.