Biocontrol Mechanisms of Endophytic Microorganisms

Dr. E.K. Radhakrishnan is currently working as an associate professor at the School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam and as a director at Business innovation and incubation Centre (BIIC.) During his 12 years of research, he has published 143 research publications, 43 book chapters, and 3 review papers. He has edited five books and has several books in progress. He has also been invited to deliver talks at various national and international conferences and seminars. His research areas include plant–microbe interactions, microbial natural products, microbial synthesis of metal nanoparticles, antimicrobial resistance gene prediction, and development of polymer-based nanocomposites with antimicrobial effects for food packaging and medical ap?plications. Dr. Ajay Kumar is currently working as an assistant professor at Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida, India. Dr. Kumar completed his tenure (2018-2022) as a visiting scientist from Agriculture Research Organization, Volcani Center, Israel and doctoral research from Department of Botany, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India on the theme "Plant microbe interaction". In his research tenures, Dr. Kumar has published more than 235 scientific contributions in the form of research and review articles, books or book chapters with the leading International Journals or Publishers. He has wide area of research experience, especially in the field of Plant-Microbe Interactions, Microbial biocontrol, Postharvest management of fruits, Microbial endophytes related with the medicinal plants and cyanobacteria-pesticides interactions. Dr. Kumar actively engaged in editing book with the leading publisher like Elsevier, Springer, CRC Press, Willey and edited more than 48 books and currently serving as an Associate editor in Frontier in Microbiology, BMC Microbiology and special guest editor in Microorganisms or Plants MDPI, Journal. Dr. Aswani R is a postdoctoral fellow at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Cochin. She holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Mahatma Gandhi University and was awarded the Chief Minister’s NavaKerala Post-Doctoral Fellowship to conduct research at Kerala Agricultural University. Her interdisciplinary research spans biocontrol mechanisms, plant defense induction by plant-associated microorganisms, biopolymer extraction from phytomicrobiomes, nanoparticle synthesis for antimicrobial applications, and fish disease management. She has authored numerous publications, review articles, and book chapters, and is a co-editor of books including “Biocontrol mechanisms of endophytic microorganisms” and “The Potential of Microbes for a Circular Economy” published by Elsevier.

• 1. Colonization, diversity and distribution of endophytic microbial communities2. Recent trends in characterization of endophytic microorganisms3. Biocontrol mechanisms of endophytic microorganisms4. Antimicrobial metabolites from endophytic microorganisms and its mode of action5. Bacterial priming and induction of defense response by endophytic microorganisms6. Engineered applications of microbial biocontrol formulations7. Improved designing and development of endophytic bioformulations for diseases8. Novel trends in endophytic applications for disease management9. Fungi in control of pathogens: Molecular Approaches10. Biocontrol applications of microbial metabolites11. Application of microbial biosurfactant in biocontrol management12. Microbial biofilms in disease management13. The potential of microbiota in reducing postharvest food loss14. Microbial safety