Biological Control Strategies for Fungal Plant Pathogens

Dear Colleagues, 

Plant pathogens cause severe losses and damage to crops around the world, and thus significantly reduce the quality and quantity of agricultural products. Furthermore, in countries where the pedoclimatic conditions make the management of diseases extremely difficult with the use of preventive measures alone, it is necessary to identify new strategies, in order to be able to support organic farmers in the management of fungal plant diseases. The phytosanitary defense in organic agriculture represents one of the most delicate elements, also considering that the technical means available are relatively few and do not guarantee the same effectiveness as the chemical products normally used in conventional agriculture.

The biological control approaches for plant diseases include the reduction of the amount or effect of pathogens through different mechanisms of action, such as: competition (for space; for C, N, or mineral sources), antibiosis (antibiotics, volatile compounds (ammonia, cyanide, alcohols, esters, ketones, etc.), enzymes), hyperparasitism, cross protection, resistance induction, and growth improvement. With the objective of a more effective control of diseases, it is agreed that improving the performance of selected antagonists is a main goal.

The natural enemy of the target pathogen is also known as a biological control agent (BCA). BCAs cause no harm to the environment, and new legislative registrations to restrict the use of existing commercial chemical pesticides are an incentive for the development and registration of new biopesticides. The fields of application are vast, from strictly agricultural environments to forest-ornamental ones, up to protected ones (greenhouses, tunnels) where, due to the very conformation of the environment, the best results are obtained.

Dr. Francesco Lops
Dr. Antonia Carlucci
Guest Editors

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