Biocontrol agents, bacteria

There has been considerable interest in the use of plants for bioremediation and this merits a rather extensive discussion. Plants can play an important role in bioremediation for several reasons (1) they can transport contaminants from the soil, (2) they can metabolize the contaminants after uptake, or (3) they can produce exudes that support microbial activity for degradation of the contaminants. In addition, bacteria can produce metabolites that counter the effect of toxins produced by fungi, and serve as biocontrol agents that diminish the need for the application of agrochemicals. Plant exudates play an important role in supporting the growth and activity of bacteria that carry out the degradation of contaminants in the rhizosphere and rhizoplane (the external surface of roots... 

As a dividend, bacteria are important as biocontrol agents against a number of plant pathogens. 

Trias, R., Baneras, L., Montesinos, E., Badosa, E. (2008). Lactic acid bacteria from fresh fruit and vegetables as biocontrol agents of phytopathogenic bacteria and fungi. International Microbiology, II, 231—236. 

Krzyzanowska, D. M., Potrykus, M., Golanowska, M., Polonis, K., Gwizdek-Wisniewska, A. E., Lojkowska, E., Jafia, S. Rhizospheie bacteria as potential biocontrol agents against soft rot caused by various Pectobacterium and Dickeya spp. starin. J. Plant Pathol. 2012,94(2), 367-378. 

Bacteria as biocontrol agents for aquatic animal larvae... 

The colonization potential is another important criterion to characterize biocontrol agents. The process of colonization is characterized by attraction of bacteria to the mucosal surface, followed by association within the... 

The potential advantages of biocontrol agents compared to antibiotics were discussed by Moriarty (1998), with most attention directed towards the production of inhibitory substances by the beneficial bacterial strains. The possibility of selecting for biocontrol-resistant pathogens must not be underestimated, and it is particularly important to search for strains that express diverse antagonistic properties that may lower the risk of resistance. For example, the ability of some bacteria to adhere to the intestinal epithelium may inhibit the intestinal infection route common to many pathogens (Evelyn, 1996 Gatesoupe, 1999). 

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