BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF PLANT DISEASES USING MICROORGANISMS: A REVIEW
OROLE, OLUKAYODE OLUGBENGA *
Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
UYI, GERARD OSUYI
Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
ADEFOLALU, ADEDOTUN
Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
AGONDO, DONALD
Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Microorganisms with the potential of limiting disease conditions and enhancing plant growth are presently being advocated as a working alternative to chemical control and management of plant diseases, pathogens and pests. Chemical pesticides despite their early success leave residual toxic metabolites that are harmful to human, plants, animals and the environment. Microbial control agents (MCA) also called have the advantage of being safe to living components and the environment in large while they eliminate pests or pathogens. These beneficial microorganisms adopt varying mechanisms to protect the plant such as production of cell wall degrading enzyme and antibiotic compounds, hyperparasitism and other indirect mechanisms like competition with the pathogen, induction of resistance in the plant. The use of two or more mechanisms to control pathogen have been reported. This review highlights some of the mechanisms adopted by biological control agents and the challenges that may face the audacious prospect.
Keywords: Disease, control, pesticides, metabolites, hyperparasitism