Application of biological control agents in the management of crown gall disease

Crown gall is a very destructive plant disease caused by Agrobacterium radiobacter. The most important symptom of this disease is abnormal growth like tumors or galls at or below the soil surface on the crown of plants and sometimes the trunks of seedlings and trees, as well as reduced growth and weakness of infected plants. This disease is one of the most damaging bacterial diseases economically infected at least 40 species of plants, including fruit and non–fruit trees, crops and ornamental plants. Failure of chemicals in the management of this disease indicates special attention focused on the biological control of plant diseases as an alternative to chemical control. This article is a comprehensive summary of new discoveries and advances in our understanding of the application of biological control agents in the control of crown gall disease.