P. protegens is phylogenetically related to the Pseudomonas species complexes P. fluorescens, P. chlororaphis, and P. syringae.

The bacterial species characteristically produces the antimicrobial compounds pyoluteorin and 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG) which are active against various plant pathogens.

[1][2] Like P. fluorescens, Pseudomonas protegens is a typical soil microorganism with an extremely versatile metabolism, and can be isolated from roots of various plant species.

The species name 'protegens' refers to the bacterium's ability to protect plants from soil-borne phytopathogens.

In addition to efficiently protect plant roots against phytopathogenic fungi (described in detail for P. fluorescens), Pseudomonas protegens was discovered to display toxicity towards certain insects upon oral ingestion or injection into the hemolymph.