Increased populations of deleterious fluorescent pseudomonads colonizing rhizomes of leatherleaf fern (Rumohra adiantiformis) and expression of symptoms of fern distortion syndrome after application of Benlate systemic fungicide

► Treatment of leatherleaf fern with Benlate resulted in long-term changes in endophytic bacteria. ► More fluorescent pseudomonads were inside rhizomes of plants treated with Benlate. ► A functional shift in pseudomonads - more pectinolytic activity - occurred on treated plants. ► Two years after treatment, plant damage and distortion of fronds resulted. ► Phylogenetic changes of endophytic pseudomonads resulted from treatment with Benlate.