Biocontrol arsenals of bacterial endophyte: An imminent triumph against clubroot disease

Clubroot disease caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae is an obligate, biotrophic pathogen, sabotages various pathways in host plant, causes root infection and impedes growth and known as the greatest threat to cruciferous crop production worldwide. Various control measures such as genetic resistance, application of chemical compounds and biological fungicides and other cultural practices have not been fruitful. Biological control based upon the idea of implying nature to work for nature, is sound. Endophytes are ubiquitous to kingdom planta thus plant-endophyte association is intimate and dynamic. Bacterial endophytes offer many benefits to plant by acting as growth promoters and disease defenders. Endophyte-mediated biocontrol is achieved by exclusion of pathogen via niche and nutrient competition, by producing anti-microbial compounds and inducing host defense responses. Many rhizobacteria and some endophytes have been tested for clubroot control. In this review, efforts are made to summarize recent developments in biocontrol through endophytes, with latest improvements in biocontrol of clubroot disease are focused specifically.