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Experimental workflow is represented in figure (A); after sowing and potting, plants were inoculated twice with Beauveria bassiana, provided in the irrigation water. Controls were irrigated only with water. Phenotyping of growth parameters, gas-exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence was carried out in treated and control plants from one day post inoculum (dpi) until fruiting. For experiment in the VOC-SCREEN platform, 39d-old plants that were previously either inoculated by B. bassiana or kept in control conditions, were infected with Botrytis cinerea and gas exchange was measured in cuvettes until 15 dpi (B). Cuvettes in the VOC-SCREEN platform were divided according to different plant treatments: control plants (C); B. cinerea spray-infected plants (Bc); B. bassiana-colonized plants (Bb); Plants colonized by B. bassiana and sprayed with B. cinerea (Bb-Bc); soil pots only (soil).
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Plants are central to complex networks of multitrophic interactions. Increasing evidence suggests that beneficial microorganisms (BMs) may be used as plant biostimulants and pest biocontrol agents. We investigated whether tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants are thoroughly colonized by the endophytic and entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana,...
Citations
... may), cucumbers (C. sativus), peppers (Capsicum spp.), among others (Eltair et al., 2024;Mohammed et al., 2024;Russo et al., 2023;Saragih, 2023;Zhang et al., 2023a;Gana et al., 2022;Liu et al., 2022;Shaalan et al., 2022;. ...
Abstract Entomopathogenic fungi, often considered only as insect pathogens, perform additional functions in nature, including endophytism, antagonism of plant diseases and promotion of plant growth. These roles allow opportunities for the multiple use of these fungi in integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. This article reviews the literature currently available on the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, its control in insect pests and in the endophytic colonization of different host plants. It also addresses the possible protection mechanisms conferred by Beauveria bassiana as an entomopathogenic fungus and as an endophytic fungus and explores its potential use in dual biological control. Finally, we summarize the current limitations and directions that future research should have regarded Beauveria spp. as a dual biological control agent.
... B. thuringiensis-based biopesticides comprise a 70-74% share in biopesticide production around the world, which are practiced in integrated pest management [114,115]. Research has been performed to optimize and develop a cost-effective procedure for the production and recovery of insecticidal delta-endotoxin from B. thuringiensis by feeding regimes [68][69][70][71][72][116][117][118][119][120]. B. thuringiensis secretes crystal (Cry) proteins, an endotoxin that potentially inhibits the growth of coleopteran, lepidopteran, and dipteran insects [121]. ...
Food security is threatened by biotic stress on crops, e.g., from invasive pests, in the context of climate change. Pest control has traditionally been achieved using synthetic pesticides, yet pollution and the persistence and toxicity of some pesticides are inducing food contamination and, in turn, generating public concern. As a consequence, biopesticides are increasingly used, notably for organic crops. For instance, some microorganisms produce biopesticidal compounds such as secondary metabolites or growth-inhibitory enzymes. Most reviews on this topic mainly focus on describing microbial species and their active compounds. However, there are very few studies and reviews describing various process parameters. Here, we review both microbial biopesticides and factors controlling physicochemical conditions for the scaling up of biopesticide production. We present biopesticides from bacteria (e.g., Bacillus thuringiensis), algae, fungi, and viruses and review the biocontrol mechanisms and applications of commercial biopesticides. The benefits of genetic engineering for enhancing activity and drawbacks such as commercialization are also discussed.
Fungi play a pivotal role in agriculture and ecosystem management, particularly as biocontrol agents that offer sustainable alternatives to chemical pesticides. This chapter delves into the multifunctionality and diversity of antagonistic fungi with biocontrol potential. We explored the taxonomy and classification of these fungi and highlighted their diverse species and unique capabilities. The key mechanisms of antagonism, including the production of secondary metabolites, competition for resources, and induction of systemic resistance in host plants, were examined in detail. The chapter further discusses a wide array of biocontrol applications, from managing plant pathogens and postharvest diseases to controlling insect pests. Environmental and ecological impacts, including effects on nontarget organisms and ecosystem dynamics, were critically evaluated to provide a comprehensive understanding of the ecological ramifications of these fungi. Advances in biotechnology and genetic engineering that enhance the efficacy of fungal biocontrol agents are presented along with future prospects and challenges in the field. Through detailed case studies and success stories, this chapter highlights the significant contributions of fungal biocontrol agents and offers insights into future research directions and practical applications.
Pests and diseases have a significant impact on crop health and yields, posing a serious threat to global agriculture. Effective management strategies, such as integrated pest management (IPM), including crop rotation, use of synthetic pesticides, biological control, and resistant/tolerant crop varieties, are essential to mitigate these risks and ensure sustainable agricultural practices. Fungal bioagents play an important role in managing phytopathogens and insect pests by acting as biological agents. They promote healthy plant growth by enhancing the uptake of nutrients and combating systemic resistance in plants. Furthermore, fungal bioagents are environmentally friendly, reducing application of fungicides and insecticides and minimizing their negative impact on the crops and environment. Their use in IPM promotes sustainable agriculture and ensures high-quality crops while maintaining soil health and microbial biodiversity. These fungal bioagents are rich sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which play an important role in biological communication during interaction with insect pests and phytopathogens. In pest management, VOC production by beneficial fungi is accountable for their efficacy against pests and pathogens. Thus, this review discusses the important fungal bioagents producing VOCs, extraction methods of VOC, and the use of VOC-producing fungi in pest and disease management, knowledge gaps, and future research areas.
The inoculation of plants with endophytic fungi offers innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture, providing effective control against pests and diseases, while promoting plant growth and development. Various inoculation techniques, including leaf spraying, seed treatment, and soil drenching, enable the colonization of different organs of the plant and offer flexibility for application across diverse agricultural settings. The selection of an appropriate inoculation method depends on factors such as plant species, environmental conditions, and the desired outcomes. Additionally, validation of colonization efficiency through conventional and molecular methods enhances our understanding of plant–fungus interactions and ensures the effectiveness of inoculation strategies. However, challenges such as commercialization, production costs, and regulatory acceptance must be addressed to facilitate the widespread adoption of these technologies in agricultural practices.
