Plants are an essential part of the ecosystem. They produce oxygen for human consumption and reduce carbon dioxide quantity in the atmosphere. They also provide the main source of nutrition for herbivores. In this way, plants contribute to the stability of an ecosystem. Factors affecting the growth of plants in an area threaten its environmental stability.
An agent causing disease in a living being is called a pathogen. Pathogens can be other living beings such as bacteria and fungi. An agent’s pathogenicity depends on the host in which it is causing disease. Many pathogens are harmful for humans but harmless in animals and plants and vice versa. The action of a pathogen requires its entry into its host and ability to cause harmful effects. Pathogens are the main cause of diseases in plants affecting their growth.
Many efforts are already in place to protect the growth of plants against any pathogen. The use of chemical fertilizers provides a protective effect. Chemical substances also threaten the plant itself. Pathogens like bacteria and viruses can grow resistance against such chemicals. Hence it is not economically suitable to continue the use of chemical substances.
The use of organic substances for plant growth can reduce environmental pollution. It is also a safer method with no chemical residues. Various studies are currently in place to find organic ways of protection against diseases. Current research is looking into the role of Endophytes against plant pathogens.
Endophytes are microbes discovered from plants. They live in plant tissue without causing any disease. They are virtually found in all plant species. The relationship between plants and endophytes is mutualistic. The microbes receive nutrition from plants in exchange for increased resistance. Endophytes play an important beneficial role for human life. Their use in the pharmaceutical industry, agriculture, and environmental applications are essential.
Dr. Seweta Srivastava is currently employed as Project Scientist at U.P Council of Agricultural Research India, Lucknow. She completed her Ph.D. in 2012 from Bnaras Hindu University, India. She also spent some years as Post Doctoral fellow, Research Associates, Technical Officer and Research Scholar at different institutes.
Dr. Seweta Srivastava and her team of researchers proposed the focused study of endophytes biology, isolation, identification, diversity, and biological activities. Thorough research would help understand their role against plant pathogens. The researchers concluded that endophytes act as a suitable natural resource. Their culturing and large scale can be achieved through fermentation.
The team published their findings in the
Asian Journal of Plant Sciences is a high quality scientific journal publishes the original research in all areas of plant science and botany. Scope of the journal includes: Plant biotechnology, plant cell and tissue culture, plant gene transfer, development, growth regulation, molecular cell biology and genetics, signal transduction, photosynthesis, pathogen resistance, nutrition, water relations and gas exchange, symbiosis, stress physiology, population genetics, ecology and molecular systematic.
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