Tackling bacterial diseases in crops: current and emerging management strategies
Rikky Rai, Maruti Nandan
Abstract
Abstract Bacterial diseases in plants pose significant challenges to crops, fruits, and vegetable production worldwide, leading to yield losses, reduced quality and economic loss. The management of bacterial diseases has relied on the application of antibiotics, antibacterial chemicals, biocontrol agents, and resistant varieties. Chemical control measures may negatively impact human health and the environment as some pesticides are toxic to living organisms and non-biodegradable. Moreover, these tactics are continuously challenged by the ever-evolving bacterial population. The recent advancements in understanding the pathobiology of bacterial pathogens and developing innovative management strategies have led to significant progress in mitigating the impact of these diseases. This review discusses the current practices for bacterial disease management and the recent breakthroughs in this field, including genetic resistance, biocontrol agents, targeting biofilms and quorum sensing, and precision agriculture techniques. It explores emerging technologies such as omics approaches and host resistance through genome modification for potential applications in bacterial disease management. Lastly, we discuss the research scope in the area to devise novel management strategies to control bacterial diseases in the future. Overall, this review is a valuable resource for researchers, agronomists, and vegetable growers seeking to enhance their knowledge and adopt sustainable practices for effectively managing bacterial diseases in vegetable crops.