Chapter 4 - Role of rhizobacterial volatile compounds in increasing plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses

Abstract

Rhizobacteria are one of the ecofriendly strategies which can be used in enhancing agriculture productivity. They are rhizosphere-inhibiting bacteria that are directly and indirectly involved in encouraging plant growth and development by producing various chemicals in the rhizosphere. Under both normal and stressful conditions, the use of plant growth–promoting bacteria has been shown to improve the health and productivity of several plant species, by producing exopolysaccharides phytohormones, 1-aminocyclopropane -1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, volatile compound, induced accumulation of osmolytes, antioxidant, upregulating or downregulating stress-responsive genes, and altering root morphology. These advantageous microorganisms colonize the rhizosphere and endo-rhizosphere of plants and impart drought tolerance. Additionally, these microorganisms can increase crop resistance to abiotic stress like salinity, heat, and drought. The management of a sustainable agriculture system will be made easier by recent advancements in the understanding of the diversity of rhizobacteria in the rhizosphere, their capacity to colonize and their mode of action in reducing biotic stress. In future, it may be possible and perhaps practical to use these rhizobacteria as biofertilizers and biopesticides which have least adverse effects on the environment.