Antibiotics-Miracle Drugs as Crop Protectants: A Review

Antibiotics known as the drugs of wonder seem to have long run since olden times as significant in its application towards agriculture. Antibiotics have its application to control bacterial, fungal, viral and phytoplasmal diseases of high valued tree crops and plants of ornamental in nature. The laws of drug in various countries differ distress over use of antibiotics as crop protectants. The main concern related to use of antibiotics is appropriate and hence more information is needed over the effectiveness and safety use of antibiotics in controlling plant diseases. Development of antibiotic resistance in plant-pathogenic bacteria alarmed problem in the agro pathosystems where it have been used for many years in disease control programs. The efficacy of antibiotics to control plant diseases has been diminished due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains for the particular pathogens. Inspite of negative aspect, the antibiotics seems to continue important tools for the management of the important devastating plant diseases.