PGPR - A New Perspective to Biocontrol in Ginger

The book begins with the bacterial wilt pathogen, Ralstonia solanacearum Yabuuchi (Smith), inflicting ginger, Zingiber officinale (Rosc.), where the crop is an extensively used spice, valued throughout the world for its aroma, flavour and pungency. One of the important factors which limit the production of ginger is the occurrence of bacterial wilt disease. The manuscript deals with Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), which are at present considered as ideal biocontrol agents, as they can suppress diseases through antagonism between bacteria and soil borne pathogens as well as by inducing systemic resistance (ISR) in the plant, apart from improving the growth and vigour of the plant. Specific Pseudomonas strains induce systemic resistance as evidenced by an enhanced defensive capacity upon challenge inoculation. This book thus provides baseline information on the role of PGPR in ISR in ginger against the pathogen. This comprehensive and profusely illustrated research will be highly valuable to students and teachers working in the area of Plant Pathology and Microbiology.