PLANT GENOMICS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION

Abstract

The outcomes of the research indicate that integrating the processes of molecular plant pathology and designing biocontrol agents may prove to be considerably helpful in controlling plant diseases in the long term.   When the experimental approaches of inoculation and molecular quantification of a pathogen coupled with strategic screening of microbial antagonists were used together, it was possible to test the efficacy of disease suppression to upper limits.   The findings proved time and again that the chosen bacterial and fungal isolates did not only kill most of the pathogens, they also decreased the development of lesions significantly yet, in comparison to untreated controls.   Transcriptomic profiling showed that biocontrol treatments activated the genes that facilitate the defense mechanism of plants. This indicated that there was high induced resistance by the plants.   These trends were demonstrated in statistical tests in a high degree of confidence which in turn increases the chances of the impacts occurring again.   The two-pronged strategy of watching infections and implementing biocontrol would be an appropriate alternative to synthetic agrochemicals that would suit the agenda of contemporary sustainable agriculture.   In addition, this methodological approach developed may serve as a guide to studies in the future, considering other plant-pathogen pairs.   This paper describes how molecular diagnostics, quantitative pathogen suppressive assays, and functional genomics can be combined to both develop and utilize bio control medicines in the field in an intelligent manner.   The research shows the importance of taking up a combination of approaches to maintain plants healthy in a manner that is effective and environmental friendly.  This will assist in maintaining the food supply secure and fortify farming systems.