Utilization of Biodiversity for Sustainable Plant Disease Management

Modern crop production systems that have focused on maximizing yield through the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides have led to negative impacts on human health and ecosystems. A major component in any crop production system is crop protection, where chemically synthesized pesticides are routinely and injudiciously applied. More sustainable crop protection systems are desirable. Mother nature has provided nature-based solutions to these problems. There are many documented plant and microbial species currently known to science that we can use for increasing sustainability in crop protection. Many plant species exhibiting potential for disease control are found in the five largest flowering plant families: Asteraceae, Orchidaceae, Fabaceae, Rubiaceae, and Poaceae. Various bacterial members from the Frankia, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Azospirillum, and Azotobacter genera and fungal members from the Trichoderma, Coniothyrium, Gliocladium, Purpureocillium, and Phlebiopsis genera have been studied for their roles in plant growth promoting and disease resistance. This chapter will explore the potential of utilizing botanical extracts from various plant species and beneficial microorganisms for sustainable crop protection against plant pathogens.