The role of Streptomyces species in controlling plant diseases: a comprehensive review

Numerous factors contribute to the decline in crop yields, including plant diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The management of these diseases with chemical fertilizers is not a sustainable approach. This review briefly summarizes the role, mechanisms, advantages, and disadvantages of using Streptomyces species in plant disease management as an alternative method is needed to address the problems of using chemicals. One promising alternative is to use microbes to manage plant diseases. Streptomyces, a gram-positive saprophytic bacterium, is particularly effective at combating plant diseases. They produce bioactive-rich antimicrobial metabolites and enzymes that can kill or inhibit the growth of plant pathogens. Streptomyces species are widely distributed in nature but are especially abundant in the rhizosphere, the soil region surrounding plant roots. Streptomyces can be used as bioinoculants to protect plants from diseases. In addition to their disease-fighting abilities, they can promote plant growth in many ways. They produce plant growth-promoting substances, such as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), cytokinin, and siderophores. They also suppress diseases through antibiosis, mycoparasitism, and nutrient competition. Streptomyces can also supply plants with essential minerals, i.e., iron, copper, phosphorus, and sulfur. Therefore, it concluded that Streptomyces species can be used as an alternative to chemicals to control plant diseases.