Molecular Pathogens 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 227-236 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mp 232 6.2 Case study on the use of beneficial microbes in india In India, the use of beneficial microbes has been a focal point in managing sugarcane diseases and promoting plant health. Researchers have investigated the potential of diazotrophic bacteria to enhance sugarcane growth and reduce the dependency on chemical fertilizers (Figure 2). This approach not only aims to improve crop yield but also to promote sustainable agricultural practices. A study conducted in the Northeast of Brazil, which has implications for similar tropical regions like India, evaluated the effectiveness of various diazotrophic bacteria in promoting sugarcane growth under adverse environmental conditions. The bacteria tested included Burkholderia sp., Pantoea sp., Stenotrophomonas sp., and Enterobacter sp.. The results indicated that while Stenotrophomonas sp. and Pantoea sp. were tolerant to salinity and pesticides, they did not significantly enhance sugarcane growth. On the other hand, Burkholderia sp. and Enterobacter sp. were more effective in promoting plant growth, despite their sensitivity to environmental stresses (Almeida, 2019). These findings suggest that the selection of appropriate bacterial strains is crucial for the successful implementation of microbial inoculants in sugarcane cultivation. By leveraging the growth-promoting properties of specific bacteria, Indian farmers can potentially reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and improve the overall health and yield of their sugarcane crops. Figure 2 Results of applying potentially beneficial microbes in a field experiment (Adopted from Li et al., 2022) Image caption: (A) Growth performance of single stem of sugarcane plants in the field trial 120 days after inoculation with microbial isolates, bar = 50 cm. (B) Biomass of single stem of sugarcane under differnet treatment conditions. Total nitrogen content (C), phosphate content (D), and potassium content (E) of sugarcane plants under different microbial applications under field conditions. Different letters indicate significant differences among different treatments in Duncan’s multiple range comparison test (Adopted from Li et al., 2022) 7 Integrated Disease Management (IDM) in Sugarcane 7.1 Combining biological, chemical, and cultural practices Integrated Disease Management (IDM) in sugarcane involves the strategic combination of biological, chemical, and cultural practices to effectively control diseases while minimizing environmental impact. Biological control methods, such as the use of fungal and bacterial antagonists, have shown promise in managing fungal diseases
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