Disclosed are recombinant host cells comprising a promoter-effective nucleic acid molecule operably coupled to a nucleic acid molecule that encodes a plant effector protein or polypeptide that induces an active plant response including, among others, growth enhancement, disease resistance, pest or insect resistance, and stress resistance. Use of these recombinant host cells for modulating plant biochemical signaling, imparting disease resistance to plants, enhancing plant growth, imparting tolerance to biotic stress, imparting tolerance and resistance to abiotic stress, imparting desiccation resistance to cuttings removed from ornamental plants, imparting post-harvest disease or post-harvest desiccation resistance to a fruit or vegetable, or enhancing the longevity of fruit or vegetable ripeness are also disclosed.
