Perspectives for the management of phytoplasma diseases through induced resistance: what can we expect from resistance inducers?

Because there are no effective means to control the phytoplasma-associated diseases when they are established, an effective management could be the application of abiotic or biotic resistance inducers. Among the latter some arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria were tested together with several chemical compounds able to start a reaction of the plant. Recovered plants following application of resistance inducers showed qualitative and quantitative production parameters similar to those of healthy plants. The possibility to contain phytoplasma diseases within an integrated approach that include, together with the applied control measures based on clean propagating materials, vector control and weed management, a stimulation of plant defences can become practically important for growers.