Effect of Rhizospheric Population on Disease Resistance in Solanaceae Crops

The Indian peninsula offers a conducive environment for the cultivation of a variety of crops among which the members of Solanaceae form an important part. The health of any plant is to a large extent dependent on its rhizospheric population. The microbes in the rhizosphere contribute to resistance in the plant against a wide range of pathogens. The microorganisms inhabiting the rhizosphere of the plants vary with species and geographic locations. Of the major Solanaceae crops in India, potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant are cultivated on a largescale and in almost every Indian state. The microflora in the rhizosphere of these plants confer resistance by a variety of mechanisms such as predation, parasitism, antibiosis, competition. Common microorganisms in the rhizosphere of Solanaceae crops include Trichoderma, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Glomus etc. A number of factors influence the rhizospheric population of crops, some of which include the climatic conditions, the soil health, the agricultural practices, the quality of seed etc. By understanding the interaction between the rhizospheric microbial composition and the specific plant species using molecular tools, significant changes can be brought about by engineering the root microbiome of the crops and increase the productivity.