Methods for Management of Soilborne Diseases in Crop Production

Abstract

The significant problems caused by soilborne pathogens in crop production worldwide include reduced crop performance, decreased yield, and higher production costs. In many parts of the world, methyl bromide was extensively used to control these pathogens before the implementation of the Montreal Protocol—a global agreement to protect the ozone layer. The threats of soilborne disease epidemics in crop production, high cost of chemical fungicides and development of fungicide resistance, climate change, new disease outbreaks and increasing concerns regarding environmental as well as soil health are becoming increasingly evident. These necessitate the use of integrated soilborne disease management strategies for crop production. This article summarizes methods for management of soilborne diseases in crop production which includes the use of sanitation, legal methods, resistant cultivars/varieties and grafting, cropping system, soil solarization, biofumigants, soil amendments, anaerobic soil disinfestation, soil steam sterilization, soil fertility and plant nutrients, soilless culture, chemical control and biological control in a system-based approach. Different methods with their strengths and weaknesses, mode of action and interactions are discussed, concluding with a brief outline of future directions which might lead to the integration of described methods in a system-based approach for more effective management of soilborne diseases.

Trichoderma: The “Secrets” of a Multitalented Biocontrol Agent

“…For instance, Venturia inequalis [5], Phytophthora infestans [6], Colletotrichum musae [7] and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Diplodia natalensis, Phomopsis citri [8,9] turn resistant to dodine, metalaxyl, benomyl and benzimidazole, respectively. Recently, agronomist and commercial sectors have shown keen interest towards the development of ecofriendly and cost-effective strategies for plant disease management [10].…”

“…There are several bodies of evidence which support the fact that some microorganisms cause growth inhibition of pathogenic spp. by impairing their metabolisms and/or establishing a parasitic relationship [10]. Additionally, the application of biological control agents (BCAs) with reduced concentrations of chemicals stimulates disease suppression in a similar manner to high doses of chemical fungicide treatments [12].…”

In Vitro Antagonistic Activity of Diverse Bacillus Species Against Fusarium culmorum and F. solani Pathogens

“…Fungicides are commonly used to control these diseases, but frequent uses of these chemicals are hazardous to humans and the environment. Therefore, the management of the soilborne pathogens has become one of the major concerns in agriculture and focused on searching and selecting antagonist microorganisms on diverse soil pathogens [7,8]. However, difficulties in controlling Fusarium sp.…”

Infectious plant diseases: etiology, current status, problems and prospects in plant protection

“…At the same time, crop rotation and selection of predecessors, the system of soil cultivation, fertilizers, dates of sowing and harvesting, as well as the destruction of weeds and post-harvest plant residues are of primary importance [ 90 ]. Placement of neighboring crops in the crop rotation and soil tillage are also essential [ 91 ]. Destroying post-harvest residues and weeds, which retain a large number of pathogens, while many weeds serve as reservoirs for them, is also of prime importance.…”