Soil Borne Pathogens
A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2024 | Viewed by 1584
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Soil-borne pathogens (SBPs) are microorganisms that live and thrive in soil and which possess the capacity to cause diseases in plants, animals, and humans. These pathogens have a major impact on agricultural productivity and food security as they can lead to significant crop losses and reduced yields. SBPs can be classified into several categories based on their properties and modes of infection, including bacteria, fungi, and nematodes. Their effects are highly pronounced under the harsh conditions of a climate in flux, especially drought conditions, as they add pressure on a disturbed root system to absorb enough water.
Bacterial soil-borne pathogens, such as Ralstonia solanacearum, can cause wilt disease in many crops, while fungal pathogens, such as Fusarium spp. and Pythium spp., can cause root and stem rots, damping off, and other diseases. Plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) (e.g., Meloidogyne, Heterodera, and Pratylenchus spp.) are dangerous microorganisms that can feed on plant roots, leading to reduced plant vigor and yield.
SBPs are often difficult to manage, as they can persist in soil for long periods and can be spread through contaminated water, plant debris, or equipment. Integrated pest management (IPM) practices can help to reduce SBP populations, combining multiple management strategies to create a more sustainable and effective approach to pest control. These strategies include crop rotation, the use of resistant cultivars, soil fumigation, and biological control agents.
On the basis of this information, we highly encourage experts and researchers to contribute original scientific articles, reviews, and communications addressing the following topics:
- Morphological and molecular characterization of soil borne pathogens;
- Diversity patterns of soil borne pathogen populations;
- Plant–microbiome interactions;
- Management of soil borne pathogens.
Dr. Abdelfattah A. Dababat
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- soil-borne pathogens
- diseases
- bacteria
- fungi
- plant parasitic nematodes
- plant–microbiome interactions
- biological control
- integrated pest management
