Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria in vegetable disease management

Abstract

In recent years, microorganisms are being given emphasis, to employ them in cropping system in order to overcome the problems faced due to application of chemicals for nutrient and disease management. The microbes especially plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) living in rhizosphere, are known to enhance the yield of the crops and protect them from diseases through several mechanisms, importantly by production of metabolites, volatile compounds and phytohormones and induced systemic resistance (ISR). ISR in plants is achieved through induction of defence-related proteins and chemicals by the PGPR upon pathogen attack. Though different genera of PGPR are known to be involved in ISR in wide range of crops against various diseases, the bacteria belonging to Bacillus and Pseudomonas are extensively studied. Application of PGPR either singly or in mixture through different formulation in vegetable ecosystem for sustainable production has been thoroughly discussed in this chapter.