The Role and Strategies of Biocontrol Microorganisms in Plant Health Management
A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Pest and Disease Management".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 29
Special Issue Editors
Interests: biocontrol of phytopathogenic fungi; yeasts as antagonistic microorganisms; plant–microbe interactions; plant growth promotion; microbial ecology
Interests: agrobiotechnology; biocontrol; biofertilizers; biological control; horticultural products; inoculant production; physicochemical quality of agro-products; sustainable agriculture
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The use of biocontrol microorganisms has increased in recent decades as a sustainable strategy for managing plant diseases and reducing the reliance on synthetic fungicides. Early research established the foundations of antagonistic interactions, while recent advances in molecular biology and microbiome analysis have expanded the practical use of microbial agents. Beneficial yeasts, bacteria, and fungi are now recognized not only for suppressing phytopathogens but also for enhancing plant nutrition, resilience, and overall health.
This Special Issue highlights the roles and mechanisms by which microbial biocontrol agents contribute to plant health management. Particular attention is given to strategies of antagonism, induced systemic resistance, the production of bioactive compounds, microbial consortia, and innovative formulation or application methods for field and postharvest systems.
We welcome original research, short communications, and reviews that advance the development of safe, reliable, and effective microbial strategies for sustainable plant health management.
Dr. Francisco Ruiz-Castilla
Dr. Rogelio Valadez Blanco
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- biocontrol microorganisms
- plant health management
- antagonistic interactions
- microbial consortia
- bioactive compounds
- plant–microbe interactions
- sustainable agriculture
- postharvest disease control
- beneficial fungi and bacteria
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