fungal biocontrol – mycolab.ai

Efficacy of Trichoderma longibrachiatum SC5 Fermentation Filtrate in Inhibiting the Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Growth and Development in Sunflower

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Scientists studied a beneficial fungus called Trichoderma longibrachiatum that can fight a harmful mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) which damages sunflower crops. They discovered that liquid containing products from this beneficial fungus can significantly stop the harmful mold from growing, prevent it from forming protective survival structures called sclerotia, and reduce its ability to infect plants. When tested on sunflower leaves, this fungal liquid was highly effective at both preventing disease before infection and stopping disease after infection had started.

Characterization and Virulence of Metarhizium anisopliae (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) Isolates from Ecologically Distinct Soils Against Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

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This study identified five native fungal strains (Metarhizium anisopliae) from Taiwanese soils that can kill the tobacco caterpillar pest (Spodoptera litura). The most effective strain, PT-01, showed strong ability to infect and kill caterpillar larvae, particularly at early life stages. The research demonstrates that these fungi could be developed into environmentally-friendly pest control alternatives to chemical pesticides, protecting crops while maintaining ecosystem health.

Native Bacteria Are Effective Biocontrol Agents at a Wide Range of Temperatures of Neofusicoccum parvum, Associated with Botryosphaeria Dieback on Grapevine

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Researchers from Chile identified native bacteria (specifically Pseudomonas strains) that effectively prevent a destructive fungal disease affecting grapevines. These bacteria can work across a wide range of temperatures and significantly reduce fungal growth both in laboratory tests and in actual vineyard conditions. This discovery offers an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fungicides for protecting grapevines, particularly important as younger vines appear more vulnerable to infection.

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.

Biology and Application of Chaetomium globosum as a Biocontrol Agent: Current Status and Future Prospects

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Chaetomium globosum is a fungus that can protect crops from various plant diseases by producing toxic compounds and parasitizing harmful pathogens. It also helps plants defend themselves naturally and improves soil health by promoting beneficial microorganisms. This makes it a promising alternative to chemical pesticides for sustainable farming, though more research is needed to optimize its effectiveness in real field conditions.

New species and records of Trichoderma isolated as mycoparasites and endophytes from cultivated and wild coffee in Africa

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Scientists discovered 16 different species of Trichoderma fungi living in coffee plants and on coffee rust fungus in Africa, including four previously unknown species. These beneficial fungi show promise as natural pest controllers for coffee leaf rust, a major disease threatening coffee production worldwide. Interestingly, the same fungi were not found in coffee plants surveyed in Brazil, suggesting they may be unique to African coffee populations. This discovery could help farmers control this destructive disease without chemicals.

Evaluating Beauveria bassiana Strains for Insect Pest Control and Endophytic Colonization in Wheat

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Scientists tested three strains of a beneficial fungus called Beauveria bassiana to control crop-damaging insects and promote wheat growth. The best-performing strain, CBM1, successfully killed multiple types of pest insects and colonized wheat plants when applied to the soil. Wheat plants colonized with this fungus grew taller with longer roots and showed significantly better protection against fall armyworms, suggesting this fungus could be a valuable tool for sustainable, pesticide-free crop protection.

A mycovirus shaped insect-pathogenic and non-pathogenic phenotypes in a fungal biocontrol agent

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Scientists discovered that a virus living inside a beneficial fungus is responsible for the fungus’s ability to kill insect pests. When they removed the virus, the fungus completely lost its ability to penetrate and infect insects through their skin, but could still cause infection if injected directly into the insect’s body. This finding suggests that the virus controls a key enzyme needed for the fungus to break through the insect’s protective outer layer, opening new possibilities for creating more effective biological pest control agents.

Automatic classification of fungal-fungal interactions using deep learning models

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Researchers developed a computer artificial intelligence system that can automatically analyze images of fungal interactions to identify strains that could help control harmful crop diseases. Instead of having humans manually examine thousands of fungal culture plates—a slow and subjective process—the AI system can now classify the interactions between beneficial fungi and plant pathogens with 95% accuracy. This breakthrough significantly speeds up the search for natural alternatives to synthetic pesticides, supporting sustainable agriculture and food security.

Study of the Antagonism of Biocontrol Strains Against the Blue-Stain Fungus of Rubberwood

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Rubberwood commonly develops blue staining from fungi, which reduces its value. Scientists isolated two beneficial fungi from rubberwood that can prevent this staining by competing with the harmful fungus. Testing showed that one beneficial fungus, Trichoderma reesei, works better than the other and could be used as a natural treatment to protect rubberwood from blue staining without damaging the wood.

Research Keyword: fungal biocontrol