How Research Can Stimulate The Development Of Commercial Biological Control Against Plant Diseases

Biological control has become an attractive alternative strategy for the control of plant diseases to reduce the excessive use of agrochemicals and its health hazards. But a significant gap still exists between basic research involving the discovery of a biocontrol agent and its development and implementation under commercial conditions. Because BCAs (unlike chemical a.m.) need to establish, colonize, survive and perform their metabolic activity to control diseases. In order to move a biocontrol agent from the laboratory to the market place requires many different disciplines and people with a variety of expertise. Research can stimulate the development of commercial biocontrol agents. Chapter 16 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

More than a century has passed since the first bioformulations were introduced to the market. But there is still much to be done, explored and developed. Though bioformulations offer green alternatives and are important for sustainable agriculture, they make up only a small fraction of the total additions used to enhance crop yields or protect them from pests. There is a great need to develop bioformulations that can promote confidence among end users; accordingly, it is imperative that bioformulations to replace chemicals be reliable and overcome the shortcomings of the past. Bioformulations: for Sustainable Agriculture discusses all the issues related to the current limitations and future development of bioformulations. It examines in detail those bioformulations that include biofertilizers and biopesticides (also commonly known as bioinoculants), presenting a global picture of their development. Further chapters address diverse microbes that are already being or could be used as bioformulations. The book also discusses the techniques, tools and other additions required to establish bioformulations as trustworthy and global solutions. It assesses the types of bioformulations currently available on the market, while also considering the future roles of bioformulations, including the reclamation of marginal and polluted soils. Further, it discusses the current legislation and much-needed amendments. Overall the book provides a comprehensive outlook on the status quo of bioformulations and the future approaches needed to improve them and achieve sustainable agriculture and food security without sacrificing the quality of soils. This will be extremely important in offering chemical-free foods and a better future for generations to come.

Insects, pests and weeds are responsible for substantial loss of crops and reduced food supplies, poorer quality of agricultural products, economic hardship for growers and processor. Generally, chemical control methods are neither always economical nor are they effective and may have associated unwanted health, safety and environmental risks. Biological control involves use of beneficial biological agents to control pests and offers an environmental friendly approach to the effective management of plant diseases and weeds. The chapters are written by well recognized group leaders in the field. This book provides a comprehensive account of interaction of host and pests, and development of biological control agents for practical applications in crops management utilizing inherent defence mechanism, induced stimulation and biological control agents. The contents are divided into the following sections: General biology of plant defence, Use of natural compounds for biological control, Use of biological agents, Mechanism of action and Commercial aspects. The book will be useful for academicians, researcher and industries involved in study and manufacturing these products.

The basis of biocontrol (in microbiology, ecology and plantpathology) is described and many examples of control measures in commercial use or development are given

Biological balance. The biological world. Attributes of a successful parasite. Types of biological interactions. Man, the disrupter of balance. The changing scene. Factors involved in biological control. A plant pathologist's definition of biological control. Comparative approaches to biological control of plant pathogens and insects. Applying biological control. Biological control in plant pathology. The stature of biological control of plant pathogens. Resident antagonists. Managing the biological balance. Biological control by resident organisms and introduced organisms. Host resistance. Ecological manipulation to control weed molds and pathogens of mushrooms. Approaches to biological control with antagonistic microorganisms. Selecting soil as a source of antagonists. Antagonistic populations of whole soils. Presumptive tests of antagonists in agar culture. Tests in soil. Testing mixtures of antagonists. Plant of action. Role of the pathogen in biological control. Ways the pathogen can overcome antagonism. Vulnerability during dormancy and saprophytic growth. Populations of soilborne pathogenic fungi that produce disease. Stimulation of antagonists by the pathogen. Control of nematodes by altering the sex ratio. Role of the antagonist in biological control. Biological efficiency of saprophytic organisms. Kinds of antagonists. Forms of antagonism. The ideal antagonist. Inoculation with avirulent organisms related to the pathogen. Recontamination of soil. Biological buffering by resident antagonists. Role of the host in biological control. Root dynamics. Physical and chemical features of the rhizosphere. Root exudation and the rhizosphere effect. Cropping history and the microbiological balance of soil. Plant residues. The host as a reservoir of inoculum. Decoy, trap, and inhibitory plants. Role of the physical environment in biological control. environment operative through the host and during dormancy of the pathogen. Environment operative during growth of the pathogen. Using environment for prediction. Using environment to nudge the biological balance. Integration between biological and chemical control. Biological control of pathogens of aerial parts. Microorganisms on aerial parts. Pathogens on aerial parts. Exudation to external surfaces. Natural dissemination of epiphytes. Whither biological control?. Stage in pathogen cycle to apply biological control. Agroecosystems in relation to biological control. Applying, activating, or assisting antagonists. Large-scale production of antagonists. Integrated control. Why biological control?. The role of biological control in plant pathology.

The papers contained in this book were presented at a NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) held at Cape Sounion, Athens, Greece, 19-24 May, 1991. The twenty-eight more comprehensive papers represent the key subjects of the ARW covered by invited speakers. The thirty-four short papers pre sented in a research format are contributions of those invited to participate in the ARW. There was a total of 70 participants from 21 countries. The objectives of the ARW were as follows: to review current knowledge of biological control of plant diseases and plant parasitic nematodes, with emphasis on mechanisms at the molecular, cellular, organismal, and ecosystem level; to examine and expand on current concepts and synthesize new concepts; to identify and prioritize limitations in the use of biological control for plant diseases and nematodes and the scientific research needed to overcome these limitations; and to develop strategies for biological control through management of resident agents or introduction of natural or modified agents.

Prevent agricultural loss with natural disease controls that don’t harm the environment—or the people who live in it Despite the worldwide use of chemicals and pesticides to control the devastating effects of plant disease, the international agribusiness market still suffers extensive economic losses each year. Biological Control of Plant Diseases offers natural alternatives to the synthetic fungicides, pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides that have not only failed to stop pests and pathogens, but have raised serious safety and environmental concerns. The world’s leading plant pathologists examine the use of antagonistic microorganisms, inherent resistance, and natural fungicides for plant protection that’s safe, economical, and effective. Biological Control of Plant Diseases presents up-to-date research findings on disease management to provide you with a single-source reference text for developing a sustainable ecosystem that doesn’t depend on harmful and unhealthy agrochemicals. This unique book acts as a catalyst for change, presenting fresh ideas and innovative strategies for finding meaningful solutions to the problems of disease control. Contributors working in the areas of plant protection, microbiology, plant pathology, biotechnology, ecology, and food safety examine topics that include the application of plant tissue culture, competitive root colonization, mycorrhiza in biocontrol, microbial siderophores, antagonism, and genetic regulation. Topics addressed in Biological Control of Plant Diseases include: soil-borne pathogens rhizobacteria organic acids white rot Trichoderma and Agrobacterium phyllosphere manure-based microbes gray mold disease major fungal diseases mycoparasitism microbial chitinases and much more Biological Control of Plant Diseases is an invaluable reference resource for extension scientists and academics working in botany, biology, entomology, ecology, agriculture, horticulture, plant pathology, and the environmental sciences.

Plant disease management remains an important component of plant pathology and is more complex today than ever before including new innovation in diagnostic kits, the discovery of new modes of action of chemicals with low environmental impact, biological control agents with reliable and persistent activity, as well as the development of new plant varieties with durable disease resistance. This book is a collection of invited lectures given at the 9th International Congress of Plant Pathology (ICPP 2008), held in Torino, August 24-29, 2008 and is part of a series of volumes on Plant Pathology in the 21st Century. It focuses on new developments of disease management and provides an updated overview of the state of the art given by world experts in the different fields of disease management. The different chapters deal with basic aspects of disease management, mechanisms of action of biological control agents, innovation in fungicide application, exploitation of natural compounds and resistance strategies. Moreover, the management of soil-borne diseases and disease management in organic farming are covered.