Plant–Fungal Interactions in Biocontrol of Plant Diseases
A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Microbe Interactions".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 92
Special Issue Editor
Interests: plants; plant–microbe; biocontrol fungi; soil-borne pathogens; fungal metabolites; rhizosphere microbiome; mycoparasitism; endophytic fungi; sustainable disease management
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Fungi, as natural inhabitants of diverse ecosystems, play a crucial role in plant health by forming beneficial interactions with plants and other microorganisms. Many fungal species exhibit biocontrol potential against phytopathogens through various mechanisms, such as mycoparasitism, antibiosis, competition for resources, and the induction of plant defense responses. Beneficial fungal genera such as Trichoderma, Beauveria, Metarhizium, Clonostachys, and mycorrhizal fungi have been extensively studied for their ability to suppress plant diseases while promoting plant growth and resilience to abiotic stresses. Endophytic fungi establish mutualistic relationships within plant tissues, offering protection against pathogens by producing bioactive secondary metabolites and triggering induced systemic resistance (ISR). Similarly, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and other symbiotic fungi enhance nutrient uptake, modulate plant immune responses, and improve soil health, thereby contributing to a holistic biocontrol strategy. Advances in molecular biology, genomics, and microbiome research have further unraveled the intricate plant–fungal–pathogen interactions, paving the way for innovative applications in biocontrol and sustainable agriculture. This Special Issue aims to explore the diverse roles of fungi in biocontrol and their interaction mechanisms in plants for mitigating plant diseases. We invite original research articles, reviews, and perspectives on plant–fungal interactions contributing to sustainable disease management.
Prof. Dr. Tong Liu
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- biocontrol fungi
- plant–microbe interactions
- endophytic fungi
- mycoparasitism
- induced systemic resistance (ISR)
- rhizosphere microbiome
- secondary metabolites
- sustainable plant disease management
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