The Management of Pistachio Gummosis by Biocontrol Strategies

Crown and root rot of pistachio trees is a serious disease in pistachio orchards that is induced by Phytophthora species. Due to the harmful effects of chemical compounds on the environment and human health, great emphasis has been placed on the biocontrol of plant diseases, in recent years. Some plant growth promoting microorganisms, such asrhizobacteria (PGPR) and fungi (PGPF), suppress plant pathogens by various direct and indirect mechanisms, including colonization, antibiosis, production of lytic enzymes and volatile compounds (VOCs), as well as induced systemic resistance (ISR). From among beneficial microorganisms, Bacillus and Pseudomonas strains and Trichoderma species have been used as biocontrol agents in many studies, due to their strong biocontrol effects on a wide range of plant pathogens. In recent years, many studies have been done on the biological control of crown and root rot (gummosis disease) of pistachio trees. In the current study, the biocontrol efficacy of soil microorganisms antagonistic to Phytophthoracrown and root rot of pistachio trees has been evaluated.