Biocontrol Agents for Improved Agriculture, a volume in the Plant and Soil Microbiome series, presents an advanced and current description of the important role of plant and soil microbiome in plant disease management. Including the latest biotechnological interventions for harnessing plant and soil microbiome and their potential in controlling plant pathogen/ disease, as well as the commercialization of biocontrol products and exploration of microbial derived bioactive compounds, this book provides an important reference on the challenges of biocontrol products.
Each year, millions of tons of agricultural food commodities deteriorate or are lost entirely during pre- or postharvest conditions due to phytopathogens or plant diseases. Conventional management strategies of plant diseases include application of chemical pesticides or agrochemicals, but the extensive and continuous use of insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides cause a range of negative consequences including, pest resistance, toxic food quality, environmental contamination, and others. The successful employment of plant and soil associated microorganisms in the plant disease or health management act as promising approach.
Biocontrol Agents for Improved Agriculture explores the bacterial and fungal species successfully applied as plant and soil inoculant for the effective management of plant diseases. As these microbial biocontrol agents not only suppress the plant disease but also enhance the growth or agricultural production in sustainable ways, the book focuses on the molecular aspect of plant- pathogen interactions and their biocontrol strategies via the use of plant and soil microbiome
This book is an important reference for those seeking sustainable, safe options for protecting against microbial agricultural loss and environmental damage.
