Induction of systemic resistance in crop plants against plant pathogens by plant growth-promoting actinomycetes

Abstract

Plants possess the ability to acquire and express an enhanced defense mechanism against pathogen attack after being treated with biocontrol agents or chemical stimulant. The role of induced systemic resistance by biocontrol agents against pathogen colonization has been revealed in several crop plants. Actinomycetes are one of the most promising sources of biocontrol agents at present gaining increased attention in the field of biological control. The secondary metabolites produced by actinomycetes play a vital role in plant growth promotion as well as suppression of pathogen growth and development in host plant. In this chapter, traits involved in plant growth-promoting actinomycetes (PGPA)-mediated induced systemic resistance (ISR) will be discussed.