Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria for Horticultural Crop Protection

The use of synthetic pesticides has undoubtedly resulted in achievement of increased crop production. However, in recent times, there has been a considerable pressure on consumers and farmers to reduce or eliminate the use of synthetic pesticides in horticulture, since fruits and vegetables are consumed afresh. This concern has encouraged looking for better alternatives which are cheaper and eco-friendly than synthetic pesticides. It is well known that plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) play an important role in maintaining crop and soil health through versatile mechanisms. There are two main outcomes or effects from beneficial microorganisms: enhanced plant growth and crop protection, both of which represent the two main constraints to agriculture. The information on biomanagement of pests (insect and nematode pests, fungal, bacterial and viral/phytoplasma diseases) of horticultural crops (fruits, vegetables, plantation, spice, tuber, ornamental, medicinal and aromatic crops) using PGPR is very much scattered. There is no book at present which comprehensively and exclusively deals with the above aspects on horticultural crops. The present book deals with biomanagement of pests in horticultural crops in detail using PGPR. The present book is divided into 7 sections. The first section deals with the principles of PGPR viz., introduction, potential role of PGPR in agriculture, genera of PGPR, disease management, nematode management, insect pest management, integrated pest management and mechanism of biocontrol. The second section deals with pest management in tropical, sub-tropical and temperate fruit crops. Pest management in Solanaceous, bulbous, Malvaceous, Cruciferous, Leguminous, leafy, Cucurbitaceous and root vegetable crops are dealt in Section III. The fourth section deals with pest management in ornamental, medicinal and aromatic crops. Pest management in plantation and spice crops has been dealt in Section V. The sixth section deals with mass production, formulation, delivery and commercialization. The last section deals with challenges, future perspectives and conclusions. The book is extensively illustrated with excellent quality photographs enhancing the quality of publication. The book is written in lucid style, easy to understand language along with adoptable recommendations involving eco-friendly components of IPM.