Author
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HEBBAR, K. PRAKASH - OICD |
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Lumsden, Robert |
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Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 9/18/1997 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: NA. Technical Abstract: Seedlings of economically important crop plants are attacked by various soilborne pathogenic fungi that cause either seed rot before germination or seedling rot after germination, resulting in billions of dollars in cumulative crop losses. Greenhouse crops grown in soilless cultures, as well as field crops, are susceptible to soilborne fungal pathogens. Currently, the most widely used control measure for suppressing soilborne diseases in the use of environmentally hazardous fungicidal treatment of seeds, seedlings, or soils. However, problems encountered such as development of pathogen resistance to chemicals, rapid degradation of the chemicals and requirement for repeated applications, has given impetus to alternative remedies. One approach to address this problem is to use naturally-occurring and environmentally-safe biological control microorganisms used alone or in conjunction with IPM. A soil fungi Gliocladium virens and a soil bacterium Burkholderia cepacia are two examples of biocontrol agents discovered recently and successfully developed as commercial products. This was due to a step by step research on the ecology, mode of action, biological control, production, formulation development, application and registration of the bioagents for commercial use. Research on their compatibility with other integrated Pest management strategies is discussed. |
