Research Keyword: biocontrol

Potential Protective Role of Amphibian Skin Bacteria Against Water Mold Saprolegnia spp.

Frogs have helpful bacteria living on their skin that can fight dangerous water molds called Saprolegnia. Scientists discovered that different types of bacteria, especially Bacillus species, can prevent these molds from growing. The study found that frogs from polluted or salty water actually had bacteria that were better at fighting the mold, likely because harsh conditions helped tougher bacteria survive. These protective bacteria might explain why adult frogs can resist these infections better than tadpoles or eggs.

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Streptomyces-Based Bioformulation to Control Wilt of Morchella sextelata Caused by Pestalotiopsis trachicarpicola

Researchers discovered two beneficial bacteria called Streptomyces that can protect morel mushrooms from a harmful fungus causing wilt disease. When applied to morel cultivation fields, these bacteria not only prevented disease but also increased mushroom yields by about 30% compared to untreated fields. This natural biocontrol approach offers farmers an eco-friendly alternative to chemical treatments while boosting their harvests.

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Editorial: Aspergillus-Derived Mycotoxins in the Feed and Food Chain

Aspergillus fungi produce harmful toxins called mycotoxins that can contaminate our food and animal feed at various stages from farm to table. Climate change is making this problem worse by helping these fungi spread and produce more toxins. Scientists are working on multiple solutions including using harmless fungi strains to compete with the harmful ones, using natural plant compounds to stop toxin production, and developing better ways to detect and remove these toxins from food and feed.

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Essential role of sugar transporters BbStp13 in fungal virulence, conidiation, and cell wall integrity in entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana

Researchers studied a fungus called Beauveria bassiana that is used to control insect pests. They found that a protein called BbStp13, which helps the fungus absorb sugars, is crucial for the fungus to infect insects effectively and make spores for spreading. When they removed this protein, the fungus became less dangerous to pests and couldn’t reproduce as well, especially when there wasn’t much food available. These findings could help make this natural pest control method even better.

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Metabolic profiling of endophytic fungi acting as antagonists of the banana pathogen Colletotrichum musae

Scientists found three special fungi living inside rainforest plants in the Philippines that can fight the fungus causing banana rot. These endophytic fungi produce chemical compounds that stop the disease-causing fungus from growing, offering a natural alternative to traditional fungicides. The researchers found that the type of growing medium affects which compounds these fungi produce, and two promising strains could potentially be used to reduce fruit losses during storage and transport.

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Antifungal efficacy and mechanisms of Bacillus licheniformis BL06 against Ceratocystis fimbriata

Researchers discovered that a beneficial bacterium called Bacillus licheniformis BL06 can effectively prevent sweet potato black rot, a fungal disease that causes major crop losses worldwide. When applied to sweet potatoes, this bacterium reduces disease damage by interfering with the fungus’s ability to grow, form spores, and survive. The study reveals that the bacterium works by disrupting the fungus’s cell structure and energy production, making it a promising natural alternative to chemical fungicides.

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Biocontrol of Seedborne Fungi on Small-Grained Cereals Using Bacillus halotolerans Strain B33

Researchers discovered that a bacterium called Bacillus halotolerans strain B33 can effectively prevent harmful fungi from damaging cereal seeds like wheat, barley, oats, and rye. When seeds were treated with this beneficial bacterium, it successfully eliminated or greatly reduced three dangerous fungal pathogens while also helping the seeds germinate better. This natural approach offers a promising environmentally-friendly alternative to chemical fungicides for protecting grain crops.

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Interference with sexual mating of Sporisorium scitamineum by verrucarin A isolated from Paramyrothecium sp

Scientists discovered that a naturally occurring fungus called Paramyrothecium sp. produces a compound called verrucarin A that prevents sugarcane smut disease. This compound works by stopping the mating process between fungal spores, preventing the disease from developing without harming the sugarcane plant. Greenhouse experiments showed that using this natural compound reduced disease occurrence from 80% to just 37%, offering a safe and eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting sugarcane crops.

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Strains of Aureobasidium pullulans from Extreme Environments: New Potential Biocontrol Agents?

Researchers studied yeast strains collected from extreme environments like deserts and cold coastlines to find natural solutions for protecting fruit crops. They found that Aureobasidium pullulans, a black yeast that thrives in harsh conditions, can effectively control brown rot disease on peaches. The strains showed remarkable ability to survive extreme temperatures and pH levels, making them promising candidates for environmentally friendly crop protection that could help agriculture adapt to climate change.

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Strain and contact-dependent metabolomic reprogramming reveals distinct interaction strategies between Laccaria bicolor and Trichoderma

This research explores how two types of soil fungi interact with each other through chemical signals. When Trichoderma (a beneficial biocontrol fungus) encounters Laccaria bicolor (a helpful fungus that aids plant growth), they communicate through airborne volatile compounds and secreted chemicals. The study found that these fungi employ different strategies depending on how close they are to each other, changing their chemical production to either compete or coexist, which has implications for improving agricultural biocontrol applications.

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