Archive | 2021
Role of Indigenous Microbes for the Control of Major Fungal Pathogens of Turmeric
Abstract
Curcuma longa commonly known as turmeric is a rhizotomous herb of family Zingiberaceae common to Indian subcontinent and Middle Eastern countries. The rhizome is commonly used as spices and traditional medicine in Indian households even since the ancient times. Turmeric is a rich source of phenolic compounds, curcuminoids, and sesquiterpenoids. Leaf spot incited by Colletotrichum capsici is one of the most serious foliar diseases of turmeric and becoming a major limiting factor for production and quality of turmeric which causes 15–60% losses in India. Use of antagonistic microbes to manage the diseases replaces the chemicals and protects the environment from toxic hazards. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria from organic sources of nutrients, viz. Panchagavya, Jeevamarit, and organic soil are known to show their antagonistic activity on the mycelial growth of fungal pathogens. Biofertilization and bioprotectant characters of PGPR have paved the way for their use at commercial level to supplement chemical fertilizers for enhanced production. This chapter summarizes the sustainable farming approaches such as biofertilizers and biopesticides where the study of host plants and associated microbial interactions in the rhizosphere plays an important role.