Genome editing (CRISPR/Cas9) in plant disease management: challenges and future prospects

The field of plant pathology has adopted targeted genome editing technology as one of its most crucial and effective genetic tools. Due to its simplicity, effectiveness, versatility, CRISPR together with CRISPR-associated proteins found in an adaptive immune system of prokaryotes have recently attracted the interest of the scientific world. Plant disease resistance must be genetically improved for sustainable agriculture. Plant biology and biotechnology have been transformed by genome editing, which makes it possible to perform precise and targeted genome modifications. Editing offers a fresh approach by genetically enhancing plant disease resistance and quickening resistance through breeding. It is simpler to plan and implement, has a greater success rate, is more adaptable and less expensive than other genome editing methods. Importantly CRISPR/Cas9 has recently surpassed plant science as well as plant disease. After years of research, scientists are currently modifying and rewriting genomes to create crop plants which are immune to particular pests and diseases. The main topics of this review are current developments in plant protection using CRISPR/Cas9 technology in model plants and commodities in response to viral, fungal, and bacterial infections, as well as potential applications and difficulties of numerous promising CRISPR/Cas9-adapted approaches

Nanotechnology: Past, Present and Future Prospects in Crop Protection

Nanotechnology is an advanced and evolving discipline in the field of science and technology with various applications in other fields such as the life sciences, and is increasingly important in the plant sciences as well. It is estimated that 20–40% of crops are lost each year due to plant pests and pathogens. The current plant disease management, which primarily relies on toxic pesticides that may be harmful to humans and the environment, has the benefit of utilizing nanotechnology. It has capabilities in determining the outbreak of an epidemic as well as diagnosing different types of diseases. It can also distinguish between similar microbes like bacteria, fungi, viruses, complex genomic portions, and how two versions of genes on an individual chromosome differ. This chapter will cover the plant disease management implementation of this technology

Influence of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth, nutrient uptake and disease suppression of some selected vegetable crops

A reduction of the agrochemicals input along with selecting suitable cultivars and species is imperative to increase the sustainability of crop production. The influence of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) on seedling emergence growth, nutrient uptake and disease incidence of some selected vegetables viz. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), Brinjal (Solanum melongena), Chilli (Capsicum frutescens) and Data (Amaranthus oleraceus) has been evaluated. The results showed that AMF inoculation could increase almost all growth parameters. The seedling emergence, plant height, length and weight of root and shoot of mycorrhiza inoculated vegetables were comparatively higher than that of non-inoculated control plants. The mycorrhizal inoculation suppressed root rot, damping off and leaf spot disease of Okra, Tomato, Brinjal, Chilli and Data almost to half extent. Meanwhile, an increased nutrient (N, P, K, Fe, and Zn) uptake was recorded with the inoculated plants. Among the inoculated vegetables, comparatively higher N, P, and K uptake were observed in Okra and Brinjal whereas Zn and Fe uptake was found higher in Okra and Data respectively. Therefore, for sustainable vegetable production, introducing bio-fertilizer by using arbuscular mycorrhiza inoculation would be one of the most efficient techniques for replacing chemical fertilizer to meet the nutrient deficiency in nutrient deficient soils