Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tomasz Maciag, Edmund Koziel, Piotr Rusin, Katarzyna Otulak-Koziel, Sylwia Jafra, Robert Czajkowski
Summary: Biological plant protection is a promising alternative to chemical methods for safeguarding plants against diseases, using biological control agents (BCAs) to suppress plant pathogens. While microbial BCAs have the potential to effectively manage crop diseases, there is a need for further research to improve their efficacy. Microbial consortia, consisting of multiple microorganisms with different mechanisms of action, offer promise in enhancing the overall antipathogen effect. This article aims to present an analysis of the current status of microbial consortia-based biocontrol and explore future research directions for biological plant protection.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Karen E. Sullam, Tomke Musa
Summary: This review examines how ecological concepts can assist in applying microbial biocontrol agents to combat oomycete pathogens, emphasizing the key ecological processes and research trends critical to the success of biocontrol agents.
Review
Plant Sciences
Xiurong Jiao, Yoko Takishita, Guisheng Zhou, Donald L. Smith
Summary: The use of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) is an environmentally friendly way to control plant disease and increase crop yield. PGPR can synthesize pathogen-antagonizing compounds and trigger plant immune responses to suppress diseases, as well as directly stimulate plant growth. Successful biocontrol agents (BCAs) provide strong support for the application of PGPR in greenhouse production, paving the way for their widespread use in agriculture to manage diseases and adapt to climate change conditions.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Debasis Mitra, Rittick Mondal, Bahman Khoshru, Ansuman Senapati, T. K. Radha, Bhaswatimayee Mahakur, Navendra Uniyal, Ei Mon Myo, Hanane Boutaj, Beatriz Elena Guerra Sierra, Periyasamy Panneerselvam, Arakalagud Nanjundaiah Ganeshamurthy, Snezana Andelkovic, Tanja Vasic, Anju Rani, Subhadeep Dutta, Pradeep K. Das Mohapatra
Summary: Agricultural land is deteriorating due to population increase, urbanization, and industrialization. To increase crop production from smaller areas, high doses of inorganic fertilizers are used, damaging soil health and causing nutrient imbalance. Recent technological advances have shown the benefits of microbial inoculants such as Actinobacteria in replacing harmful chemicals and promoting sustainable farming practices. Actinobacteria have multifunctional traits that promote plant growth, control phytopathogens, solubilize nutrients, produce phytohormones, enhance organic matter decomposition, and suppress soil-borne pathogens.
Article
Microbiology
Zhen Wang, Kaiheng Lu, Xuan Liu, Yuping Zhu, Changhong Liu
Summary: Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) are crucial for the effectiveness of biocontrol agents in plant phyllosphere and rhizosphere, yet little is known about their ecological adaptation to different habitats. In this study, a comparative functional genome analysis of leaf-associated (LA), soil-associated (SA), and other-associated (OA) PGPB strains was conducted. Our findings revealed that genes related to hormone metabolism were enriched in LA PGPB, while carbohydrate and antibiotic metabolism genes were enriched in SA PGPB, likely facilitating their adaptation to the plant growth environment. These results provide genetic insights into the ecological adaptation and biocontrol characteristics of LA and SA PGPB strains.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yanfen Zheng, Xiaobin Han, Donglin Zhao, Keke Wei, Yuan Yuan, Yiqiang Li, Minghong Liu, Cheng-Sheng Zhang
Summary: Recent studies have shown that there are different microbiomes between disease-suppressive and disease-conducive soils, with keystone species in suppressive soil playing a critical role in disease suppression. Pseudomonas strains, identified as keystone taxa, displayed strong inhibition on pathogens and reduced the incidence of bacterial wilt disease, providing a potential approach for crop protection against pathogen infection.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
N. Pastor, S. Palacios, A. M. Torres
Summary: This article introduces the application of fungal biocontrol agents in controlling plant pathogens and mycotoxins, with a focus on the inoculation of plants with Trichoderma strains. It also discusses the role of plant-beneficial microbial consortia in disease prevention and yield increase, as well as the impact of these biocontrol agents on soil microbial communities.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Entomology
Anik Majumdar
Summary: Biological control using microbial biocontrol agents (MBCAs) is a sustainable method for managing plant diseases and increasing food production. Recent advancements in biotechnology have made it easier to discover and clone beneficial microbes, enhancing plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. These approaches are crucial for improving agricultural outputs, ensuring food security, and minimizing yield loss due to plant diseases.
EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL PEST CONTROL
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Lamenew Fenta, Habtamu Mekonnen, Negash Kabtimer
Summary: Postharvest disease management is crucial for improving crop quality and productivity. The use of agrochemicals in disease control, however, has negative effects on consumer health, the environment, and fruit quality. Microbial biocontrol agents offer an eco-friendly alternative, but their implementation in sustainable agriculture requires further research and understanding of plant-pathogen-environment interactions. This review summarizes previous studies on the function of microbial biocontrol agents against postharvest crop diseases and explores their mechanisms, potential applications, and challenges in commercialization.
Review
Horticulture
Davide Palmieri, Giuseppe Ianiri, Carmine Del Grosso, Giuseppe Barone, Filippo De Curtis, Raffaello Castoria, Giuseppe Lima
Summary: The use of synthetic fungicides is limited due to eco-toxicological risks, thus there is a need for safer biocontrol agents. Research on selection, evaluation, characterization, and formulation of BCAs is crucial for sustainable agricultural management. Optimizing BCA activity, sharing formulation knowledge, and simplifying registration procedures are important for the development and utilization of effective bioformulates.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Reuben O. Onwe, Chukwudi O. Onwosi, Flora N. Ezugworie, Chito C. Ekwealor, Chigozie C. Okonkwo
Summary: Trehalose is widely used to address food shortages and nutritional imbalances by helping plants and microorganisms survive in harsh environments, and is considered a safe alternative to chemical agents.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Manswama Boro, Shuvankar Sannyasi, Dixita Chettri, Anil Kumar Verma
Summary: Microbial biological agents can replace chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture and have multiple benefits, including promoting plant health and providing protection against plant pathogenic microorganisms. Certain bacteria, fungi, viruses, and bacteriophages have been found to have antimicrobial activity and can be effective biocontrol agents against plant pathogens.
ARCHIVES OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Silvana Vero, Gabriela Garmendia, Enzo Allori, Jose Maria Sanz, Mariana Gonda, Teresa Alconada, Ivana Cavello, Julian Rafael Dib, Mariana Andrea Diaz, Cristina Nally, Raphael Sanzio Pimenta, Juliana Fonseca Moreira da Silva, Marisol Vargas, Fernanda Zaccari, Michael Wisniewski
Summary: Food losses, especially those caused by plant pathogens, have an impact on food safety and security. The use of chemical pesticides has limitations, leading to the development of safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives, such as microbial biopesticides. Understanding the mechanisms by which biopesticides control diseases is crucial for effective disease control.
Article
Plant Sciences
Rachel Grabka, Tyler W. d'Entremont, Sarah J. Adams, Allison K. Walker, Joey B. Tanney, Pervaiz A. Abbasi, Shawkat Ali
Summary: Almost all plant species have fungal endophytes that can help plants resist various pests and diseases. These endophytes play a vital role in current and future agricultural practices.
Review
Plant Sciences
Eman Zakaria Gomaa
Summary: Chitinases are hydrolytic enzymes that catalyze chitin decomposition and play a vital role in balancing the carbon and nitrogen ratio in the ecosystem. Their physicochemical attributes and sources determine their functional characteristics and hydrolyzed products. Chitinases have various applications in agriculture, food, environment, medicine, and pharmaceutical companies, with antifungal and insecticidal effects being extensively studied for protecting crops. Chitooligosaccharides produced from chitin degradation have shown potential health benefits like antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties. This review aims to explore chitinase production, properties, and their potential applications in different biotechnological fields.