biological control agents

Biostimulant and Bioinsecticidal Effect of Coating Cotton Seeds with Endophytic Beauveria bassiana in Semi-Field Conditions

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Researchers coated cotton seeds with a beneficial fungus called Beauveria bassiana to improve plant growth and reduce insect pests. The treated cotton plants grew taller, had more leaves, and accumulated more biomass than untreated plants. Additionally, these coated seeds significantly reduced populations of aphids that naturally infested the plants, offering a chemical-free approach to pest management for cotton farming.

Effect of Rare, Locally Isolated Entomopathogenic Fungi on the Survival of Bactrocera oleae Pupae in Laboratory Soil Conditions

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Researchers tested seventeen types of fungi found in Greek olive groves to see if they could kill olive fruit flies, which damage about 30% of olive crops. They applied the fungi to fly pupae in soil and without soil, then tracked how many flies died and how much fungal growth appeared. Several fungi types, especially Aspergillus flavus and A. keveii, were very effective at killing the flies and could potentially replace harmful chemical pesticides used in olive farming.

Mycoviruses: Antagonistic Potential, Fungal Pathogenesis, and Their Interaction with Rhizoctonia solani

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This comprehensive review explores how viruses that infect fungi, called mycoviruses, could help farmers control rice diseases. Rice sheath blight caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani causes significant crop losses worldwide. Scientists have discovered that certain mycoviruses can weaken this pathogenic fungus, making them promising biological alternatives to chemical fungicides that can harm the environment and encourage disease resistance.

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

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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.

Trichoderma: The Current Status of Its Application in Agriculture for the Biocontrol of Fungal Phytopathogens and Stimulation of Plant Growth

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Trichoderma is a beneficial fungus that grows naturally in soil and can protect crops from harmful fungal diseases while promoting plant growth. It works through multiple mechanisms including directly attacking pathogenic fungi, competing for nutrients, and boosting the plant’s own defense systems. With over 77 commercial products already available, Trichoderma offers a promising sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting major world crops.

Algae and Cyanobacteria Fatty Acids and Bioactive Metabolites: Natural Antifungal Alternative Against Fusarium sp

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This review examines how fatty acids and other compounds from algae and cyanobacteria can naturally fight Fusarium fungus, which damages crops like wheat, corn, and tomatoes. Traditional chemical fungicides harm the environment and can make fungi resistant, so scientists are exploring algae-based alternatives that work sustainably. The research shows these algal compounds can damage fungal cell membranes and boost plant defenses against infection. While promising, more work is needed to develop these natural solutions for practical farm use.

Toxicity Assay and Pathogenic Process Analysis of Clonostachys rogersoniana Infecting Cephalcia chuxiongica

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A destructive pine forest pest called Cephalcia chuxiongica causes significant damage to forests in China. Researchers discovered that a fungus called Clonostachys rogersoniana can effectively kill this pest by uniquely infecting it through breathing holes called spiracles. This fungus-based biological control offers an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides, potentially protecting China’s forests while reducing chemical pollution.

Effect of Rare, Locally Isolated Entomopathogenic Fungi on the Survival of Bactrocera oleae Pupae in Laboratory Soil Conditions

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Researchers tested seventeen types of fungi that infect insects to see if they could control the olive fruit fly, a major pest in Greece that damages olive crops. Using fungi from local Greek soil samples, they exposed young olive fruit flies to different fungal treatments both in soil and without soil. Some fungi, particularly Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus keveii, were highly effective at killing the flies and preventing them from reproducing normally. These results suggest that using these naturally occurring fungi could be a safer alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting olive groves.

The green shield: Trichoderma’s role in sustainable agriculture against soil-borne fungal threats

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This study examined how a beneficial fungus called Trichoderma can protect crops from harmful soil fungi without using chemical pesticides. Researchers isolated Trichoderma from soil in Kashmir and tested it against 12 different disease-causing fungi. The results showed that Trichoderma effectively stopped the growth of harmful fungi both through direct contact and through compounds it produces. This natural approach could help farmers grow healthier crops while protecting the environment.

The Impact of Sugar Beet Seed Pelletization on the Proliferation of Nematophagous Fungi

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Sugar beet seeds are often coated with protective chemicals to improve planting. This study found that these chemical coatings significantly inhibit the growth of beneficial fungi that naturally attack plant-damaging nematodes. While these fungi can still be applied to fields separately as a biological pest control, they should not be added directly to the seed coating because the chemicals would kill them. Farmers could use a combination approach by applying the fungi to soil separately while using treated seeds.

Research Keyword: biological control agents