Review PaperPesticidal prospectives of chitinolytic bacteria in agricultural pest management

•Chitin metabolism is a primary physiological activity of agricultural pests.•Potential of chitinolytic bacteria and chitinases in pest control is discussed.•The diversity and synergisms of chitinolytic bacteria are discussed.•Modes of action and possible transgenics for plant protection are highlighted.

Chitin metabolism is an essential life sustaining activity of phytophagous insects, phytopathogenic fungi and parasitic nematode which are the major limiting factors of agricultural production systems. Diverse bacteria, although non-chitinous life forms, are reported to degrade native chitin associated with the pestiferous organisms thereby exerting pathogenicity. So, the deployment of chitinolytic bacteria, associated genes and enzymes for plant protection against invading parasites and insect pests is well studied. Currently, worldwide research mainly focuses on finding novel strains and enzymes with potential implications in pest management. Owing to the effectiveness and synergistic potential, the putative chitinases and chitinolytic bacteria are formulated as biocontrol agents for direct application, utilized in the development of transgenics and supplemented with other pesticidal toxins. This fast progressing twig of pest management has the ability to replace hazardous chemical pesticides, if not so, can reduce their dosage. The present review critically discusses the available diversity of chitinolytic bacteria and the present status of pest management achieved through this approach. The possible levels of control and achievable synergism against major pest species are also presented in the context of latest research findings to understand subsistence pest management using bacterial chitinases.