Agricultural important microorganisms: From rhizosphere to bioformulation as biological control weapons for sustainable agriculture

Abstract

Fungi are an integral part of the soil ecology. Rhizosphere holds foremost importance as a primitive site for microbial colonization and operation. A significant number of organic compounds including secretions, sloughed off cells, lysates and exudates are secreted by actively growing roots into the rhizosphere. As a matter of fact, the microbial activity in the rhizosphere is reckoned to be upraised and significantly distinctive in comparison to microbes existing in the bulk soil. Over the years agriculturally important microorganisms (AIM) have witnessed a significant utilization in a broad range of agroecosystems including both immanent and artificial circumstances in diverse applications ranging from nutrient supply, bioremediation, biocontrol and rehabilitation of degraded lands. The successful development of AIM in stressed ecosystem poses many challenges. The adverse effect to the environment due to indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides is of great concern, and hence development of alternate control strategies such as biological control as a substitute for chemicals or as a key component in integrated disease management system is gaining momentum. Biological control agents are usually target specific, and by using these agents in conjunction with fungicides, the level of fungicide applied can be reduced. The role of microorganisms to inhibit phytopathogen and possibility of bioformulation of next-generation products for agriculture market has been discussed.