PROTECTION OF PLANTS FROM THE INFLUENCE OF HARMFUL FACTORS AFFECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Microorganisms, in addition to plants and animals, are part of the living world in which they play an important role, and are among the oldest inhabitants of the Earth. They are found in all natural environments and affect the circulation and flow of energy in nature. They can have a positive and negative effect on the plant system. The negative impact is manifested as a disease of certain organs or the whole plant. This is a significant problem that affects the diversity of plant communities, the appearance and composition of the environment, as well as in conditions of intensive agricultural production. Although the use of phytopathology, constant discoveries and testing of a large number of plant protection products is becoming more frequent, we encounter the appearance of certain diseases of different intensities. The appearance of diseases in plants can cause multiple consequences per species (reduced economic effect of production, due to loss of yield and quality).

Consequences caused indirectly, due to inadequate or excessive use of chemical preparations for plant protection against diseases, have a negative impact on the environment, as well as on humans. Due to such consequences, the aim is to provide effective protection against pathogens, in order to achieve satisfactory yields, while preserving human health and nature. Research is being conducted with the task of finding alternatives to chemical plant protection products as potential contaminants of food and the environment. The aim is to provide an equally efficient replacement and for new solutions to be environmentally friendly and economically justified. In recent years, more and more work has been done on the application of biological protection measures. Biopesticides or biological preparations for plant protection are agents based on microorganisms. They are intended for maintenance, control and destruction of harmful factors. The products of metabolism of microorganisms used as biopesticides can be toxins, antibiotics, spores and crystals. Their role is to protect plants, acting antagonistically on pathogens (insects, weeds), while they are safe for humans and the environment. The invention of such preparations for controlling pathogens that harm plants, is to stimulate and provoke the activity of plant defense mechanisms by using defense activators that trigger defense mechanisms in the plant itself. Extracts of different types of plants whose effect is toxic to plant pathogens can also be used. Bacterial preparations against plant diseases are predetermined by the mechanism of antibiosis, whereby the interaction of beneficial and harmful microorganisms occurs. Some representatives of bacteria have the ability to absorb various organic substrates, are characterized by rapid growth, produce antibiotics, bactericides, siderophores and plant growth stimulants. Today, there is more and more talk and striving towards environmental protection and the production of healthy food, so finding as many biopesticides or plant protection products against diseases and pests is really important. The application of these biological preparations, in addition to being important for organic agriculture, is also important in plant protection or conventional production. The use of biopesticides is a solution to many problems in agricultural production, in the cultivation of plant species and in preserving the diversity of the environment.