As a consequence, there is an increasing interest in exploring the usability of beneficial microbes as biofertilizers. These have been found to cause a serious threat to human health and to the environment. Traditional fertilization strategies are mainly dependent on inorganic chemical-based fertilizers. Plant defense mechanisms include a long list of both physical and chemical barriers, but also a microbial environment on the leaves and roots is of key importance for their defense. To combat these risks, plants have evolved a broad range of tactics to defend themselves. The aim of research into biocontrol strategies and products is to reduce the dependence on chemical products, for the joined benefit of human health and the environment.Ĭrops are vulnerable to environmental challenges such as changing climate with the risk of drought or fluting, and infection with pathogens including types of fungi, nematodes, bacteria and viruses.
Biocontrol agents for farmers how to#
A number of products are available, but further research is needed to fully understand how to use biocontrol microbes in large-scale farming. Biocontrol microbes are increasingly accepted as important means for control of plant diseases in sustainable agriculture. Other functions include release of substances with plant growth regulating properties, and production of antibiotics.ĭue to the adverse effects of some chemical pesticides on both human health and the environment, industry and researchers are looking at biological control microbes as alternatives to traditional pesticides for the management of pests. Biological control of plant pests and pathogens is proving very useful for low cost, eco-friendly and sustainable approaches for defending plants and crops from disease and infection. A key part of this ability comes from the ability of the microbes to increase the amount of fertilizer that is taken up by plants: they increase the nutrient use efficiency of fertilizers, and make the nutrients bound in organic material available to crops through biodegradation of organic matter. A healthy soil micro-environment is important for a range of functions: keep the soil rich in nutrients, transforming nutrients into plant available compounds and protecting the soil and plants from infection and disease. The natural microflora of soil comprises a range of useful bacteria and fungi including the arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) called plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR).