Entomopathogenic Soil Microbes for Sustainable Crop Protection

Abstract

The insect pest nuisances in the agricultural industry are most likely as old as the agriculture itself. Insects are the most ubiquitous and versatile among all living organisms and are responsible to develop successful survival mechanisms as compared with other living fauna that also share the same planet. The main reason for insect’s dominance in the world is their huge adaptability. A large number of agro- chemical insecticides, pesticides and herbicides are used against these insect pests, which are neurotoxicants and affect all living organisms with soil fertility. Food security, energy renewability, rural livelihood and agricultural sustainability depend mainly on soil richness or fertility. Global increase in the population and degradation of environment possess a challenge in crop production and it is a need to find solu- tions for abiotic stress, pests and pathogens. These demands for food cannot prevail until the fertility of the soil is restored. In addition, today’s prime public worry is about environmental pollution, mostly caused by the use of chemical synthetic pesti- cides, herbicides and fertilizers. Hence, a cleaner and greener approach against crop production and protection is essential by the use ofmicrobial biopesticides.Microbes are a vital part of soil not only involve in transforming nutrients within the soil but also influence the multiple functions and are among the commonly used eco-friendly means of pest management. There are some specific microbes that help the plants in rhizospheric soil to grow healthy in that environment by performing various mecha- nisms. The direct mechanism consists of fixation of nitrogen, production of different enzymes and phytohormones and solubilization of someminerals in the rhizospheric soil, whereas indirect mechanism comprises inhibiting phytopathogens. Originated from a variety of naturally occurring microbes such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, nema- todes, rickettsia and protozoan etc. microbial biopesticides protect our crops from diseases and pests thus enhance crop productivity and soil fertility. They make it possible to increase yield as well as the productivity in a sustainable way. Ultimately, results in more production give food to our ever-growing world population with a novel opportunity to protect this planet. The significance of rhizospheric microor- ganisms may be huge as they are capable of managing the pest population, nutrient acquisition and nutrient transformation, thus results in crop sustainability.