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

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. 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 1000 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.

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