Use of biocontrol agents for the management of seed-borne diseases

Abstract

Seeds are the most critical input in crop production system, and 90% of all the worlds’ food crops are raised from seeds. Seeds are distributed at large scale in market and are now responsible more than ever for the dissemination of plant pathogens across vast distances. Seed-borne pathogens are continuously imposing a serious threat to crop production and are responsible for the reemergence of various diseases through the introduction of particular diseases into new areas. Seed-borne pathogens are of particular importance because strategies used for their management are insufficient, especially with the availability of limited and outdated chemicals. Various strategies have been employed to manage seed-borne diseases including cultural, chemical, regulatory, and biological methods. In the past few decades, chemicals are widely used for seed treatment as a potent approach toward disease control, and commencement of systemic fungicides added further possibilities to it. However, rising concern about their negative impact on the environment and human health minimizes their use. Application of agriculturally important microorganisms for disease management is a safer alternative to conventional management practices which have severely affected the environment and agroecosystem. Application of beneficial microbial antagonists to seed for managing seed and soil-borne pathogens is model delivery systems as it brings in the microbial inoculum to the rhizosphere.