Exploitation of Biofumigation and Biocontrol Agents for the Management of Soil-Borne Diseases

Abstract

The yield potential of different agricultural crops is influenced by several biotic and abiotic factors of which the biotic factors cause severe yield losses, among these diseases caused by soil-borne pathogens are major concern. The management of soil-borne diseases is very challenging due to their highly distinct nature of incidence and production of dormant structures like chlamydospores, conidia, and sclerotia during offseason, and wide range of alternate and collateral hosts including weeds, use of chemical control measures are generally not effective, not ecologically viable, too costly and application of chemicals cause ill-effects to non-target soil microorganisms. Several alternate strategies like crop rotation, soil amendments, improved cultural practices and biological control agents were available for the management of diseases. Nowadays management of diseases by biocontrol strategies has become an interesting tool (Cook, 1993). An effective biocontrol strategy is feasible only when the biocontrol agents survive, establish, proliferate, and combat the pathogen. However, the success rate of biological control is less because of several reasons, especially environment, soil pH, organic matter and moisture content. In the present scenario use of mustard biofumigation 410in combination with antagonists may be most agreeable, cost effective, ecofriendly viable option. Biofumigation is an agronomic practice, where different crops are cultivated and incorporated into the soil at the time of flowering like green manuring. Addition of more plant biomass, especially roots, can offer the gains of green manure crops, and volatile compounds released during crushing of biofumigant plants can suppress soil-borne pathogens, pests, and weeds. The full potential of bioagents can be exploited by using in combination of biofumigation is convenient as it delivers the dual benefits of biocontrol and creates favorable conditions for the growth of biocontrol agents by addition of organic matter to the soil.