The use of synthetic pesticides has undoubtedly resulted in the achievement of increased crop
production. However in recent times there has been a considerable pressure on consumers and
farmers to reduce or eliminate the use of synthetic pesticides in horticulture since fruits
and vegetables are consumed afresh. This concern has encouraged looking for better alternatives
which are cheaper and eco-friendly than synthetic pesticides. It is well known that plant
growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) play an important role in maintaining crop and soil
health through versatile mechanisms. There are two main outcomes or effects from beneficial
microorganisms: enhanced plant growth and crop protection both of which represent the two main
constraints to agriculture. The information on biomanagement of pests (insect and nematode
pests fungal bacterial and viral phytoplasma diseases) of horticultural crops (fruits
vegetables plantation spice tuber ornamental medicinal and aromatic crops) using PGPR is
very much scattered. There is no book at present which comprehensively and exclusively deals
with the above aspects on horticultural crops. The present book deals with biomanagement of
pests in horticultural crops in detail using PGPR. The present book deals with biomanagement of
pests in horticultural crops in detail using PGPR. The present book is divided into six
sections. The first section deals with the importance of PGPR including introduction potential
role of PGPR in agriculture genera of PGPR disease management nematode management insect
pest management integrated pest management mechanism of biocontrol mass production
formulation delivery and commercialization. Pest management in tropical sub-tropical and
temperate fruit crops is dealt in Section II. The third section deals with pest management in
Solanaceous bulbous Malvaceous Cruciferous Leguminous Cucurbitaceous leafy and root and
tuber vegetable crops. Pest management in plantation and spice crops is in Section IV. Section
V deals with pest management in ornamental medicinal and aromatic crops. The last section
deals with a road map ahead including challenges future prospective and conclusions. The book
is extensively illustrated with excellent quality photographs enhancing the quality of
publication. The book is written in lucid style easy to understand language along with
adoptable recommendations involving eco-friendly components of IPM.
