Research Keyword: biocontrol

Carbon substrates utilization determine antagonistic fungal-fungal interactions among root-associated fungi

Scientists studied how different fungi in plant roots compete with disease-causing fungi. They found that fungi with different eating habits (carbon substrate preferences) fight off plant pathogens in different ways. Some fungi that eat many types of food produced toxic compounds to kill pathogens, while others competed directly for food. This discovery could help farmers use beneficial fungi to naturally protect crops from diseases.

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Abscisic Acid Metabolizing Rhodococcus sp. Counteracts Phytopathogenic Effects of Abscisic Acid Producing Botrytis sp. on Sunflower Seedlings

Scientists discovered that a beneficial soil bacterium can protect sunflower plants from a harmful fungus by eating the toxin the fungus produces. The fungus normally weakens plant defenses by producing a chemical called abscisic acid, but the bacterium metabolizes this chemical and prevents it from harming the plant. This approach works without the bacterium directly killing the fungus, offering a new way to protect crops from disease.

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The yeast Wickerhamomyces anomalus acts as a predator of the olive anthracnose-causing fungi, Colletotrichum nymphaeae, C. godetiae, and C. gloeosporioides

A beneficial yeast called Wickerhamomyces anomalus can kill the fungi that cause olive anthracnose, a disease that damages olive crops and reduces oil quality. Unlike chemical fungicides, this yeast works by physically attacking the fungal hyphae, sticking to them and draining their contents to feed itself. This natural biocontrol approach could provide farmers with a safer, more sustainable way to protect olive trees from disease.

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Antagonistic potential and analytical profiling of plant probiotic bacteria using chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques against Botrytis cinerea and Fusarium oxysporum

Researchers discovered that certain beneficial bacteria can fight plant diseases caused by harmful fungi. Two bacteria strains showed exceptional ability to inhibit the growth of disease-causing fungi that damage crops. These bacteria produce natural compounds like phenols and organic acids that help plants grow better and resist diseases. This research suggests these bacteria could be used as natural alternatives to chemical pesticides for sustainable farming.

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Volatile Metabolome and Transcriptomic Analysis of Kosakonia cowanii Ch1 During Competitive Interaction with Sclerotium rolfsii Reveals New Biocontrol Insights

This research demonstrates how a beneficial bacterium called Kosakonia cowanii Ch1 can fight a harmful fungus that damages crops. The bacterium produces volatile chemicals that inhibit fungal growth and shows different gene activity depending on whether these chemicals are present. When the beneficial bacteria and fungus compete together with the volatiles present, the bacteria win by producing gas bubbles and effectively stopping the fungus. These findings suggest a natural alternative to chemical fungicides for protecting crops.

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Identification of a Novel Pathogen of Peanut Root Rot, Ceratobasidium sp. AG-A, and the Potential of Selected Bacterial Biocontrol Agents

Scientists in China discovered a new fungal disease causing peanut root rot, identified as Ceratobasidium sp. AG-A. They tested three types of beneficial bacteria as natural pest control agents and found they effectively inhibited the disease-causing fungus while promoting peanut plant growth. These findings offer farmers an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fungicides for managing this newly identified threat to peanut crops.

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Alliance Between Conifer Trees and Endophytic Fungi Against Insect Defoliators

Tiny fungi living inside white spruce trees help protect them from destructive budworm insects in two ways: the fungi directly produce toxic substances that kill or harm the budworms, and they also trigger the trees to produce more of their own natural chemical defenses called terpenes. Scientists found that spruce trees with more of these helpful fungi in their leaves were better protected against budworm damage. This discovery shows that trees don’t fight pests alone but partner with beneficial fungi as part of their defense system.

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Identification and growth-promoting effect of Paecilomyces lilacinus a biocontrol fungi for walnut rot disease

Researchers identified a beneficial fungus called Paecilomyces lilacinus that can fight walnut rot disease, which damages walnut crops especially in China’s Xinjiang region. This fungus is more environmentally friendly than chemical fungicides and actually boosts walnut plant growth, increasing seedling height and root development significantly. The study shows it could replace harmful chemical treatments while improving overall plant health.

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Volatile Metabolome and Transcriptomic Analysis of Kosakonia cowanii Ch1 During Competitive Interaction with Sclerotium rolfsii Reveals New Biocontrol Insights

Researchers studied how a beneficial bacterium called K. cowanii fights against a harmful soil fungus (S. rolfsii) that damages crops like chili peppers. The bacterium produces special smelly compounds (VOCs) that kill the fungus. When these compounds are present, the bacterium activates specific genes that help it produce substances to protect itself and inhibit fungal growth. This research could help farmers use natural biocontrol instead of chemical fungicides.

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Characterisation of Plant Growth-Promoting Endophytic Bacteria from Sugarcane and Their Antagonistic Activity against Fusarium moniliforme

Researchers isolated and identified fourteen types of beneficial bacteria living inside sugarcane plants that can fight against a harmful fungus called Fusarium moniliforme, which damages both sugarcane and rice crops. These bacteria not only kill the fungus but also help plants grow better by producing growth-promoting compounds. When used as a seed treatment, the bacteria reduced fungal infection in rice seedlings by 80%, offering a natural alternative to chemical fungicides.

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