Plant Health Under Biotic Stress : Microbial Interactions

The book illustrates the use of putative microbial agents which provide good protection to the plant from biotic pathogens attack. An up to date knowledge on plant-microbiome interaction strategies in terms of improved sustainability has been discussed. Information from experts across the globe on the application of microbes for providing amicable solution in sustainable agriculture has been gathered. In addition, information related to microbes mediated resistance levels leading to enhanced plant health has been well presented. The chapters have emphasised the use of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and other potential biocontrol agents/antagonists in the management of plant diseases which provide extensive information to the readers. Literature on microbial root colonization, plant growth promotions, and also on the protection of plants from attack of various soil borne pathogens have been presented in a coherent way. Information on the application of potential strain of the bio-control fungi, endophytes, actinomycetes strengthening the plants ability which rescue the plant from pathogens attack leading to improved plant health has also been underpinned.

Dr. Rizwan Ali Ansari is a young and active member of Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India. He obtained his Ph.D. degree from the same university and has been involved in the research and development strategies of Plant Pathology/Nematology. He has been engaged in formulation of management modules involving various microorganisms, antagonists and organic additives active against wide range of soil-borne plant pathogens infesting several agricultural crops. He has also attended several national and international conferences so far and received prestigious awards by various scientific societies like Society of Plant Protection Sciences (SPSS) and Nematological Society of India (NSI) for his outstanding contribution in the field of Plant Pathology/Nematology. He has published several book chapters, research and review articles pertaining to utility of organic additives, mycorrhizal fungi as well as plant growth promoting bacteria in the sustainable management of plant pathogens in various journals/books of great repute. Judicious application of organic additives and biological agents in the management of plant diseases amelioration of soil and crop health, survey on disease prevalence caused by soil-borne pathogens on various economically important crops are the current research domain of Dr. Ansari.

Dr. Irshad Mahmood is working as a Professor of Plant Pathology and Nematology in the Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. He obtained Ph.D. degree from Aligarh Muslim University in the field of Plant Pathology and Nematology. Promotion of organic farming across the world by utilizing organic additives and potent microorganisms for the sustainable management of phyto-parasitic nematodes and plant pathogenic fungi resulting to augment soil and plant health is the domain of his research. He has been engaged with teaching programme of undergraduate and post-graduate level students for the last 30 years and has many overseas visits including United States, France and U.K. He has attended a significant number of national and international conferences pertaining to wide area of agricultural sciences and published around 150 original research papers, review articles and book chapters in various refereed national and international publication media, most of them in very high impact factors.He has successfully completed many training courses in various ICAR sponsored research institute in India and also in North Carolina State University, Raleigh, U.S.A. He is also an active member of national and international scientific organizations, served as experts for selection committee, reviewer of journals, doctoral theses, and funding agencies, and is a recipient of scientist of the year award in the field of Plant pathology and Nematology. He has guided ten Ph.D., several M. Phil. and large number of M.Sc. dissertations. He has also been engaged in the establishment of a joint government project with Aligarh Muslim University for improvement of infrastructural facilities in botanical garden to facilitate ex situ conservation and propagation of rare, endangered and threatened plants and theplants endemic to the region.