Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.0
Journals
Bacteria
Special Issues
New Insights into Microbial Biocontrol: Strategies for Sustainable Aquaculture and...
share announcement

New Insights into Microbial Biocontrol: Strategies for Sustainable Aquaculture and Agriculture

A special issue of Bacteria (ISSN 2674-1334).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 June 2026) | Viewed by 13416

Editors

Dr. Sourav Chattaraj

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Industrial Biotechnology Research, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan, Bhubaneswar 751003, Odisha, India
Interests: aquaculture; agriculture; biochemistry; emulsion technology; feed technology; fermentation technology; genetics; immunology; metagenomics; medical microbiology; microbiology; molecular biology; nanotechnology; oncology; phycology; probiotics
Dr. Arindam Ganguly

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Microbiology, Bankura Sammilani College, Bankura 722102, West Bengal, India
Interests: probiotics; environmental microbiology; fermented food; biofertilizers; vaccine
Dr. Leonard Koolman

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for AMR & One Health Research, School of Biological, Health & Sports Science, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Interests: antimicrobial resistance; plastisphere; biofilms; one health in agriculture; carbon dots; electromicrobiology; horizontal gene transfer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Debasis Mitra

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Microbiology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun 248002, Uttarakhand, India
Interests: plant–microbe interactions; soil microbiology; arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; environmental microbiology; microbial diversity; plant growth-promoting microbes; biocontrol; strigolactone
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Microbial biocontrol is emerging as a cornerstone of sustainable practices in aquaculture and agriculture, offering eco-friendly alternatives to chemical inputs and addressing pressing challenges such as disease resistance, environmental degradation, and food security. This Special Issue, New Insights into Microbial Biocontrol: Strategies for Sustainable Aquaculture and Agriculture, explores innovative microbial solutions driving resilience and productivity in these critical sectors. In aquaculture, probiotics and bacteriophages are gaining traction for their roles in enhancing host immunity, improving gut health, and controlling pathogenic bacteria like Vibrio and Aeromonas, reducing dependence on antibiotics and promoting microbial balance. Algal compounds, with their bioactive metabolites and immunostimulatory properties, are being integrated into feed and water treatments to boost fish health and stress tolerance. In agriculture, plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) are revolutionizing crop management through nitrogen fixation, phytohormone production, and induced systemic resistance, improving soil fertility and crop yield without synthetic fertilizers. Trichoderma-based formulations have proven effective in controlling soil-borne pathogens while enhancing plant root development and nutrient uptake. Similarly, nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) sprays are demonstrating remarkable success in controlling lepidopteran pests with host-specific action and minimal non-target effects. The use of predatory insects like lady beetles adds another layer of natural pest suppression, effectively managing aphid populations and contributing to integrated pest management strategies. Together, these microbial and biological tools present a paradigm shift towards environmentally responsible and biologically intensive farming systems. This issue will feature original research, reviews, and case studies that delve into the mechanisms, applications, and synergistic potential of these biocontrol agents, with a vision to inspire innovation and collaboration across disciplines. By highlighting the interface of microbiology, biotechnology, and sustainable development, the contributions are anticipated to inform policy, advance commercial applications, and foster resilient food production systems in the face of global environmental and economic pressures.

Dr. Sourav Chattaraj
Dr. Arindam Ganguly
Dr. Leonard Koolman
Dr. Debasis Mitra
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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Bacteria is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1200 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

  • microbial biocontrol
  • sustainable aquaculture and agriculture
  • probiotics
  • bacteriophages
  • biocontrol agents

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

14 pages, 14834 KB  
Article
Analysis for Nodulation and Nitrogen Metabolism Genes in the Genome of Bradyrhizobium japonicum Strains Isolated in the Lower Volga Region
by Aleksandr S. Sidorin, Julia A. Balabanova, Gennady L. Burygin and Oksana V. Tkachenko
Bacteria 2026, 5(3), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/bacteria5030036 - 1 Jul 2026
Viewed by 444
Abstract
Seven indigenous strains of Bradyrhizobium japonicum subsp. saratovii isolated from soybean nodules (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) grown in the arid Lower Volga region of Russia were investigated. A complete set of the major symbiotic genes was detected in all strains. Single synonymous [...] Read more.
Seven indigenous strains of Bradyrhizobium japonicum subsp. saratovii isolated from soybean nodules (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) grown in the arid Lower Volga region of Russia were investigated. A complete set of the major symbiotic genes was detected in all strains. Single synonymous nucleotide substitutions were identified in nifH and nifD, whereas a missense mutation, Ser149Phe, was found in the nifK gene of strain II-2. Homology modelling showed that this substitution did not cause any noticeable rearrangement of the overall structure of the nitrogenase β-subunit, although it was located near the conserved Cys152 residue. The nodB and nodC genes were completely conserved; the nodC sequence corresponded to symbiovar glycinearum. Structural disruptions in the nap operon were detected in strains II-2 and III-2, which was consistent with the absence of nitrate-reducing activity. Comparison of the genomic data with the inoculation results showed that the most effective strain, II-2, combined strong growth-promoting and yield-enhancing effects with the presence of a complete set of symbiotic genes and disruption of napA. These findings indicate that the integration of genomic analysis with phenotypic assessment improves the accuracy of selecting promising indigenous Bradyrhizobium strains for soybean inoculation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Microbial Biocontrol: Strategies for Sustainable Aquaculture and Agriculture)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 3749 KB  
Article
Dual Action of Bacillus and Lactobacillus spp.: Promoting Bean Cultivar Development and Suppressing Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli
by Ibrahim Isse Ali and Kubilay Kurtulus Bastas
Bacteria 2025, 4(4), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/bacteria4040056 - 1 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1517
Abstract
Common bacterial blight (CBB) is a significant disease caused by the seed-borne pathogen Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli (Xap), which devastates global bean production. This study evaluated the effects of Bacillus subtilis (Bst26), Lactobacillus plantarum (Lpkb10), their combination (Bst26 + Lpkb10), copper hydroxide (CH), [...] Read more.
Common bacterial blight (CBB) is a significant disease caused by the seed-borne pathogen Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli (Xap), which devastates global bean production. This study evaluated the effects of Bacillus subtilis (Bst26), Lactobacillus plantarum (Lpkb10), their combination (Bst26 + Lpkb10), copper hydroxide (CH), and an untreated control on controlling CBB in three bean cultivars (Göynük, Saltan, and Tezgeldi). Disease incidence (CI), disease severity index (DSI), severity score (SC), area under disease progress curve (AUDPC), and disease control (DC), along with agronomic traits such as plant height, number of primary branches, root length, and fresh root weight, were recorded to assess both infection rates and plant health under each treatment. The findings revealed significant differences in DI, DSI, SC, AUDPC, and DC (p ≤ 0.01) among the bean cultivars for CBB. Among the cultivars, the Bst26 treatment and the combination of Bst26 and Lpkb10 showed the highest control effectiveness, with DI values of 33.11% and 33.46% in Saltan, 35.65% and 44.16% in Göynük, and 37.71% and 42.43% in Tezgeldi, respectively, at 21 days after inoculation (DAI). Bst26 alone and in combination with Lpkb10 effectively controlled CBB, with disease reduction of 56.80% and 46.49% in Göynük, 57.08% and 56.62% in Saltan, and 52.18% and 46.19% in Tezgeldi, respectively. Disease progression was highest in the untreated control, with DI ranging from 77.15% to 82.54% across Göynük, Saltan, and Tezgeldi cultivars. Significant differences (p ≤ 0.01) in plant height, root length, and root weight were observed among treatments and cultivars. Disease parameters were negatively correlated with plant growth traits, and multi-treatment analysis demonstrated that combining bacterial strains effectively reduced disease severity in susceptible cultivars, highlighting their potential for improved CBB management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Microbial Biocontrol: Strategies for Sustainable Aquaculture and Agriculture)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

34 pages, 2259 KB  
Review
Unveiling the Molecular Mechanism of Azospirillum in Plant Growth Promotion
by Bikash Ranjan Giri, Sourav Chattaraj, Subhashree Rath, Mousumi Madhusmita Pattnaik, Debasis Mitra and Hrudayanath Thatoi
Bacteria 2025, 4(3), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/bacteria4030036 - 18 Jul 2025
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 9967
Abstract
Azospirillum is a well-studied genus of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and one of the most extensively researched diazotrophs. This genus can colonize rhizosphere soil and enhance plant growth and productivity by supplying essential nutrients to the host. Azospirillum–plant interactions involve multiple mechanisms, [...] Read more.
Azospirillum is a well-studied genus of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and one of the most extensively researched diazotrophs. This genus can colonize rhizosphere soil and enhance plant growth and productivity by supplying essential nutrients to the host. Azospirillum–plant interactions involve multiple mechanisms, including nitrogen fixation, the production of phytohormones (auxins, cytokinins, indole acetic acid (IAA), and gibberellins), plant growth regulators, siderophore production, phosphate solubilization, and the synthesis of various bioactive molecules, such as flavonoids, hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and catalase. Thus, Azospirillum is involved in plant growth and development. The genus Azospirillum also enhances membrane activity by modifying the composition of membrane phospholipids and fatty acids, thereby ensuring membrane fluidity under water deficiency. It promotes the development of adventitious root systems, increases mineral and water uptake, mitigates environmental stressors (both biotic and abiotic), and exhibits antipathogenic activity. Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is the primary mechanism of Azospirillum, which is governed by structural nif genes present in all diazotrophic species. Globally, Azospirillum spp. are widely used as inoculants for commercial crop production. It is considered a non-pathogenic bacterium that can be utilized as a biofertilizer for a variety of crops, particularly cereals and grasses such as rice and wheat, which are economically significant for agriculture. Furthermore, Azospirillum spp. influence gene expression pathways in plants, enhancing their resistance to biotic and abiotic stressors. Advances in genomics and transcriptomics have provided new insights into plant-microbe interactions. This review explored the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of Azospirillum spp. in plant growth. Additionally, BNF phytohormone synthesis, root architecture modification for nutrient uptake and stress tolerance, and immobilization for enhanced crop production are also important. A deeper understanding of the molecular basis of Azospirillum in biofertilizer and biostimulant development, as well as genetically engineered and immobilized strains for improved phosphate solubilization and nitrogen fixation, will contribute to sustainable agricultural practices and help to meet global food security demands. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Microbial Biocontrol: Strategies for Sustainable Aquaculture and Agriculture)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-3
Back to TopTop