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Microbial Activity in the Rhizosphere
The rhizosphere is a very complex environment in which the effects of the plant on soil microorganisms and the effects of the microorganisms on the plant are interacting and are interdependent. Plant root exudates and breakdown products attract microbes and feed them and, in turn, the plants often benefit from the microbes. Interactions among microorganisms and plant roots are essential for nutritional requirements of the plant. Plant growth, development and productivity are largely dependent on the soil environment in the root region rhizosphere. The new techniques of studying the rhizosphere enables us to get a much better understanding of the dynamics of the rhizosphere population, such rhizosphere studies being of interest to agriculturists, soilbiologists, chemists, microbiologists and molecular biologists. The rhizosphere microbes in?uence the root environment in several ways. They may change the oxidation-reduction potential, influence the availability of moisture and nutrients, produce growth inhibiting or growth promoting substances in the form of exudates, provide competition and possibly induce many other effects. My corrhizal associations are beneficial in mineral uptake and in increasing root surface area for effective ion absorption. Antagonism, ompetition and synergism in soil and the rhizoplane (rhizosphere) are the most important microbial interactions to consider in the study of rhizosphere biology. With the growing information on the production of growth regulators, competitiveness of the microbes in the rhizosphere, microsymbionts, and other factors, their effect upon plant growth will become more evident. Experiments on the introduction of microbes or their products in the rhizosphere will help to improve our understandingofthebiologyoftherhizosphere.
Integrated Management and Biocontrol of Vegetable and Grain Crops Nematodes
The second volume of the IMPD series describes aspects related to most important phytoparasitic nematodes, considering the integration of biological control methods with other management practices and technologies, including the use of predatory nematodes and microbial rhizosphere antagonists. Chapters cover topics like the mode of action and interactions of nematophagous fungi, the efficacy of controll and management of plant parasitic nematode communities through a soil conservation approach, and exploitation of nematodes-bacteria antagonistic relationships.
General Concepts in Integrated Pest and Disease Management
The first volume of the Integrated Management of Plant Pests and Diseases book series presents general concepts on integrated pest and disease management, organized in three sections. Section one (modeling, management, environment) includes chapters on infection models, resurgence and replacement. The second section (emerging technologies) includes remote sensing and information technology. In the third section (molecular aspects) the management of insect-borne viruses with transmission interference.
