Biological Control of Plant Diseases by Beneficial Microbes
A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Crop Protection, Diseases, Pests and Weeds".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 1164
Special Issue Editor
Interests: endophytic fungi; endophytic bacteria; Trichoderma; Bacillus; systemic resistance
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
In recent years, agriculture has faced significant challenges due to plant diseases, both in crops and post-harvest stages. Plant pathogens, such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses, can lead to substantial yield losses and poor-quality produce. These diseases are further exacerbated by over-reliance on chemical pesticides, which harm the environment, disrupt ecosystems, and contribute to the development of pesticide-resistant pathogens.
Microbial agents act through both direct and indirect mechanisms. Directly, they produce antifungal or antibacterial compounds that directly kill or inhibit the growth of pathogens. Indirectly, they can stimulate plant immune responses, enhance nutrient availability, or compete for space and resources, thus reducing pathogen colonization. Despite their potential, the development of microbial bioinoculants faces several challenges. Issues like product stability, consistency, and efficacy under various environmental conditions hinder their widespread use. Additionally, regulatory barriers and the cost of production complicate the commercialization of these biocontrol agents. However, continued research and technological advancements are essential to overcome these obstacles and integrate microbial biocontrol into modern agricultural practices.
This Special Issue will focus on the biological control of plant diseases, especially microbial agents. All types of articles, such as original research, opinions, and reviews, are welcome.
Prof. Dr. Jorge Poveda
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- bioinoculants
- endophytic fungus
- epiphytic fungus
- endophytic bacteria
- epiphytic bacteria
- Trichoderma
- Bacillus
- bacteriophages
- microbiome
- systemic resistance
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