Molecular approaches for improved biological control of plant diseases

Summary: Environmental and consumer concerns and subsequent protective legislation have focused scientific interest on the development of microbial inoculants as environmentally acceptable methods of replacing or decreasing the use of chemical pesticides for crop protection. While potential bioccontrol agents have been identified among fungal, actinomycete and bacterial species, molecular biology techniques are being increasingly employed to enhance the efficacy of these natural isolates. Such techniques include the development improved inoculants capable of enhanced biocontrol metabolite production or with the ability to synthesise combinations of these metabolites. The exploitation of microbial inoculants as effective biocontrol agents involves the introduction of large numbers of microorganisms in to the soil environment. Ensuring that these procedures are compatible with sustainable, economically viable and environmentally friendly agricultural practice has involved monitoring and assessing the impact of microbial inoculants on phytopathogens and indigenous beneficial microflora.