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Assessing the Role of Earthworms in Biocontrol of Soil-Borne Plant Fungal Diseases

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Biology of Earthworms

Part of the book series: Soil Biology ((SOILBIOL,volume 24))

Abstract

Earthworms are integral part of belowground communities, which are actively involved in redesigning the structure of the soil environment. In recent decades, several researches have shown the potential of application of vermicompost in controlling soil-borne plant fungal diseases. However, complexity of earthworm interactions with various abiotic and biotic components of the soil has posed a real challenge before the scientists unearthing the underlying mechanism of disease suppression. This chapter focuses on the earthworm-mediated factors contributing to soil-borne fungal disease suppression. Very briefly, we have highlighted the limitations of prevailing biocontrol methods of soil-borne fungal pathogens. Key mechanisms involved in earthworm-mediated soil-borne fungal disease suppression, such as influence on soil microbial communities, enzymatic activity, production of antifungal compounds, soil physicochemical properties, and systemic resistance in plants, are explored. Further, we have attempted to identify core areas and give future directions where concerted research efforts are still required.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Defence Research Laboratory, Post Bag 2, Tezpur, 784001, Assam, India

    Mukesh K. Meghvansi & Lokendra Singh

  2. Directorate of Life Sciences, Defence R & D Organization, DRDO Bhawan, Rajaji Marg, New Delhi, 110105, India

    Ravi B. Srivastava

  3. Amity Institute of Microbial Technology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, E-3 Block, 4th Floor, Sector 125, Noida, UP, 201303, India

    Ajit Varma

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  1. Mukesh K. Meghvansi
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  2. Lokendra Singh
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  3. Ravi B. Srivastava
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  4. Ajit Varma
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Correspondence to Mukesh K. Meghvansi .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Fac. Agriculture, Dept. Soil Science, Ankara University, Ankara, 06110, Turkey

    Ayten Karaca

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Meghvansi, M.K., Singh, L., Srivastava, R.B., Varma, A. (2011). Assessing the Role of Earthworms in Biocontrol of Soil-Borne Plant Fungal Diseases. In: Karaca, A. (eds) Biology of Earthworms. Soil Biology, vol 24. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-14636-7_11

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