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Disease-Suppressive Soils-Beyond Food Production: a Critical Review
Somasundaram Jayaraman1, A K Naorem2, Rattan Lal3
1ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Nabibagh, Berasia Road, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462038 India.
Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
|March 22, 2021
Summary
Intensive farming degrades soil health, prompting research into disease-suppressive soils (DSS). These soils utilize beneficial microbes and abiotic factors to combat soil-borne diseases, offering eco-friendly agricultural solutions.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Soil Microbiology
- Plant Pathology
Background:
- Intensive agricultural practices have led to soil degradation and increased reliance on pesticides.
- Soil-borne diseases significantly limit crop productivity, necessitating sustainable control methods.
- Disease-suppressive soils (DSS) offer a natural mechanism to reduce disease incidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically explore the attributes and mechanisms of disease suppression in soils.
- To investigate the biotic and abiotic factors influencing disease-suppressive soils (DSS).
- To review the potential of soil microbiomes for novel antimicrobial and plant-promoting traits.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on disease-suppressive soils (DSS) and their associated mechanisms.
- Analysis of the roles of microbial communities (e.g., antibiosis, parasitism, competition, predation).
- Evaluation of the influence of soil physicochemical properties and agricultural management practices.
Main Results:
- Disease suppression in soils is attributed to diverse microbial communities and specific soil abiotic factors.
- Agricultural management practices significantly alter soil environments, impacting antagonistic microbial activity.
- Plant factors, such as crop type and root exudates, influence rhizosphere microbial diversity.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the complex interactions within DSS is crucial for developing effective, eco-friendly disease control strategies.
- Further research into DSS can lead to the discovery of novel beneficial microorganisms for agriculture.
- The soil microbiome within DSS holds potential for identifying new antimicrobial agents.
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