ABSTRACT
44One of the biggest ecological challenges facing plant pathologists is to develop environmental friendly alternatives to the extensive use of chemical synthetic pesticides for combatting crop diseases. In this regard scientists are more concerned to develop such practices that alone or in integration with other practices could bring about a reasonably good degree of reduction of disease potential coupled with sustainability of production, cost effectiveness, and eco-friendliness. A large number of microorganisms from fungi and bacteria have shown some ability to antagonize plant diseases. Some plant growth promoting organisms also suppress plant diseases. These microorganisms may suppress plant pathogens through antibiosis, production of hormones, solubilization of minerals, and induction of host resistance. Among phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms, Aspergillus niger is the most important plant growth promoting fungus which efficiently suppress plant pathogens.
