Biocontrol of Soil Borne Pathogens and Nematodes

The disease development in cultivated crops is a complex interrelationship between host, pathogen and environment. Prevalence of same ecological niche among soil-borne pathogens and nematodes creates opportunities for interactions between them and result in severe outbreak of disease complex. The soil-borne fungal pathogens -nematode disease complexes are commonly associated with the interaction of rootknot nematode, Meloidogyne spp. the endoparasitic nematodes such as Globodera spp., Heterodera spp., Rotylenchulus spp and Pratylenchus spp., the ectoparasitic nemtodes viz., Xiphinema spp., and Longidorus spp. However, different school of thoughts, have well documented the mechanisms beneath the synergistic interactions and have also highlighted the researchable issues pertaining to the resolution and management of soil-borne fungal and nematode complexes. The Universe has also witnessed shattering of economy due to the impact of fugal pathogens as an individual causal agent. For instance, the Irish famine due to late blight of potato caused by Phytophthora infestans during 1845 -1847 resulted in starvation and death of two million people in Ireland. The favourable environment for the establishment of host pathogenic relationship between potato and Phytophthora infestans alone is able to create a serious disaster to the nation. Likewise, the synergy of nematode and soil-borne fungal pathogens can also cause severe economic losses to the farming community and the Nation as a whole. The occurrence of fungal nematode complex was explained for the first time in cotton. The occurrence of Fusarium wilt of cotton caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. vasinfectum was more severe in the presence of Meloidogyne spp. The management of fungal-nematode complex still remains as a challenging task. The diversity of rhizomicrobiome can be explored well for the management of fungal nematode complex. The microbe interactions either in the rhizosphere or inside the plant system are responsible for changes in microbial diversity and activity. Thus the microbial activity of the endophytes or rhizomicrobiome alters the supply of available nutrients to plants and thereby modifies the quality and quantity of root exudates resulting in the selective multiplication of beneficial microbes and there by can prevent the establishment of soil borne fungal pathogens and nematodes. Keeping it in mind, the book entitled on "Biocontrol of soil borne pathogens and nematodes" edited by Professor S. Nakkeeran and his Co-workers describes the breadth of subjects in the field of biological control of soil-borne pathogens and nematodes. It will serve as a reference for student community and researchers in Plant Pathology and Plant Nematology. Each chapter provides an overview of a given area and will serve as a resource material for further studies. It also comprehensively describes modern approaches and mechanism of action of biocontrol agents. It includes novel strategies for plant disease management, antimicrobial peptides of Bacillus spp., mode of action of Trichoderma spp., mass production of antagonists, feasibility of consortia for biological control, nematodes and its management with nematicides and biocontrol agents.