Bacterial and Fungal Biocontrol Agents for Plant Disease Protection: Journey from Lab to Field, Current Status, Challenges, and Global Perspectives
Muhammad Ayaz,
Cai-Hong Li,
Qurban Ali,
Wei Zhao,
Yuan-Kai Chi,
Muhammad Shafiq,
Farman Ali,
Xi-Yue Yu,
Qing Yu,
Jing-Tian Zhao,
Jing-Wen Yu,
Ren-De Qi,
Wen-Kun Huang
Affiliations
Muhammad Ayaz
Institute of Plant Protection and Agro-Products Safety, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei 230041, China
Cai-Hong Li
Cotton Sciences Research Institute of Hunan, Changde 415101, China
Qurban Ali
Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Wei Zhao
Institute of Plant Protection and Agro-Products Safety, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei 230041, China
Yuan-Kai Chi
Institute of Plant Protection and Agro-Products Safety, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei 230041, China
Muhammad Shafiq
Biology Department and Institute of Marine Sciences, College of Science, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
Farman Ali
Department of Entomology, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
Xi-Yue Yu
State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
Qing Yu
State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
Jing-Tian Zhao
State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
Jing-Wen Yu
State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
Ren-De Qi
Institute of Plant Protection and Agro-Products Safety, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei 230041, China
Wen-Kun Huang
State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
Plants are constantly exposed to various phytopathogens such as fungi, Oomycetes, nematodes, bacteria, and viruses. These pathogens can significantly reduce the productivity of important crops worldwide, with annual crop yield losses ranging from 20% to 40% caused by various pathogenic diseases. While the use of chemical pesticides has been effective at controlling multiple diseases in major crops, excessive use of synthetic chemicals has detrimental effects on the environment and human health, which discourages pesticide application in the agriculture sector. As a result, researchers worldwide have shifted their focus towards alternative eco-friendly strategies to prevent plant diseases. Biocontrol of phytopathogens is a less toxic and safer method that reduces the severity of various crop diseases. A variety of biological control agents (BCAs) are available for use, but further research is needed to identify potential microbes and their natural products with a broad-spectrum antagonistic activity to control crop diseases. This review aims to highlight the importance of biocontrol strategies for managing crop diseases. Furthermore, the role of beneficial microbes in controlling plant diseases and the current status of their biocontrol mechanisms will be summarized. The review will also cover the challenges and the need for the future development of biocontrol methods to ensure efficient crop disease management for sustainable agriculture.