Special Issue "Biocontrol and Plant Growth and Quality Promoting Capacity of Microorganisms—New Perspectives for Agriculture"

Guest Editor
Prof. Dr. Gabriele Berg
Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, A-8010 Graz, Austria
Website: http://www.ima.tugraz.at
E-Mail: Gabriele.Berg@tugraz.at
Phone: +43 316 873 8310
Interests: microbial ecology; environmental biotechnology; biocontrol

Co-Guest Editor
Dr. Christin Zachow
Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB GmbH), A-8010 Graz, Austria
Website: http://www.acib.at
E-Mail: christin.zachow@acib.at
Phone: +43 316 873 8423
Interests: biocontrol; screening; improvement and application of biological control agents; plant-microbe-interaction; environmental biotechnology; plant-associated communities

Dear Colleagues,

Plant-associated microorganisms fulfill important functions for plant growth, health as well as quality. While direct plant growth promotion by microbes is based on improved nutrient acquisition and hormonal stimulation, diverse mechanisms are involved in the suppression of plant pathogens, which is often indirectly connected with plant growth. Based on these beneficial plant–microbe interactions, it is possible to develop microbial inoculants for use in agricultural biotechnology. Dependent on their mode of action and effects, these products can be used as biofertilizers, plant strengtheners, phytostimulators, and biopesticides. There is a strong growing market for microbial inoculants worldwide with an annual growth rate of approximately 10%. The use of genomic technologies leads to products with more predictable and consistent effects. The future success of the biological control industry will benefit from interdisciplinary research, e.g., on mass production, formulation, interactions, and signaling with the environment, as well as on innovative business management, product marketing, and education. Altogether, the use of microorganisms and the exploitation of beneficial plant–microbe interactions offer promising and environmentally friendly strategies for conventional and organic agriculture worldwide. In this special issue all studies regarding biocontrol, plant growth and quality promotion are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Gabriele Berg
Dr. Christin Zachow
Guest Editors

Submission

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• biocontrol
• antagonist
• PGPR
• mode of action
• plant strengthener
• biofertilizer
• biopesticide
• microbial inoculants