ARS | Publication request: Agricultural Application of Higher Plants for Their Antimicrobial Potentials in China

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: September 16, 2007
Publication Date: February 22, 2008
Citation: Zhou, L., Wedge, D.E. 2008. Agricultural Application of Higher Plants for Their Antimicrobial Potentials in China. In Crop Protection Research Advances, E.N. Burton and P.V. Williams, Eds., Nova Science Publishers, Hauppauge, NY. PP. 55-75.

Interpretive Summary: This chapter provides a general review the research work on the natural product-based antimicrobial metabolites or plant extracts that have potential for agricultural application to minimize crop losses caused by pathogens of agricultural importance. It is expected that this brief review will serve as baseline information and guidance for future research and it is our hope that some of the botanicals will become an integral part of disease and pest control programs being developed. The chapter mainly describes the current state of plant-based antimicrobial agents and their potentials in agricultural application in China, ranging from extracts commonly used in agriculture to compounds of interest to scientists.

Technical Abstract: This chapter describes published research into Chinese medicinal and aromatic plants as sources of new crop protectants. Literature was reviewed based on our personal experience, reported antimicrobial activity against plant pathogens, novel chemical structures, and potential for agricultural utilization of plant extracts in plant protection. The future prospects for botanical-based crop protectants to control important crop disease will also be discussed.