Siderophore producing PGPR for crop nutrition and phytopathogen suppression

Abstract

Deficiency of iron in crop results in iron chlorosis, makes them micronutrient deficient and hence sensitive to microbial infections. More than 60 phytopathogens are known to cause different plant diseases. These microbial diseases of crop plants are the major cause of severe global economic losses to agricultural crops. During the last 50 years, the control of most of the plant diseases has fully relied on the use of agrochemicals. Although this has resulted in increased production of agricultural commodities, it has several inherent problems like health hazards, biomagnification and development of pesticide resistance in the pests, and contamination of underground water. The increasing public awareness about these problems has stimulated interest in the use of biological control methods for controlling plant diseases. Past decade has witnessed increasing interest in the role of rhizobacteria for controlling plant diseases. In the present agricultural scenario, siderophore producing rhizobacteria has been recognized as potential biocontrol agents (BCAs) for controlling plant diseases. On other hand consumption of Iron-deficient foods causes iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) present in close vicinity to plant roots or its surface play a crucial role in providing iron nutrition to the crops, thereby promote plant health/growth as well as suppress major phytopathogen and have been seen as sustainable and eco-friendly substitute to chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides. Most important biotechnological exploitation of siderophores producing PGPR in the rhizosphere region of the plant where they provide iron nutrition to the plant, serve as first defense against root invading parasites and helps in removing toxic metals from polluted soil. Siderophore producing PGPR function as BCAs, by depriving the pathogen from iron nutrition thus resulting in increased yields of crops.