biological control – Page 5

Epidemiology, Biotic Interactions and Biological Control of Armillarioids in the Northern Hemisphere

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This paper reviews how armillarioid fungi, particularly Armillaria species, cause root rot disease in forests and orchards across the Northern Hemisphere. These fungi spread through underground root-like structures called rhizomorphs and can kill trees and damage crops over large areas. The authors discuss how to identify these fungi using modern genetic methods and explore environmentally friendly biological control options using beneficial bacteria, fungi, and nematodes as alternatives to chemical treatments.

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.

Exploring fungal pathogens to control the plant invasive Rubus niveus on Galapagos Island San Cristobal

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Hill raspberry is a highly invasive plant that has taken over approximately 30,000 hectares of the Galapagos Islands, threatening native plant species. Traditional control methods like manual removal and herbicide spraying are expensive and ineffective. Researchers identified five species of fungal pathogens that naturally occur on infected Hill raspberry plants and can cause disease on healthy plants, offering promise as biological control agents to suppress this invasive species.

Identification and potential of the hyperparasite Acremonium persicinum as biocontrol agent against coffee leaf rust

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Coffee plants are severely damaged by a fungal disease called coffee leaf rust that destroys leaves and can reduce harvests by over 70%. Scientists in China discovered a beneficial fungus called Acremonium persicinum that acts as a natural enemy to the rust-causing fungus, essentially eating and destroying it. Laboratory tests showed this beneficial fungus prevented rust infection in 91% of cases and completely stopped the disease from spreading when applied to infected coffee leaves. This natural biological control offers an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting coffee crops.

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 as natural pest control for the olive fruit fly, a major pest that damages olive crops in Greece. They found that several fungal species, especially Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus contaminans, were highly effective at killing fly pupae in soil conditions. These fungi could offer farmers an eco-friendly alternative to toxic chemical pesticides, helping improve olive oil quality while protecting beneficial insects.

Isolation and Biological Control of Colletotrichum sp. Causing Anthracnosis in Theobroma cacao L. in Chiapas, Mexico

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Cacao farmers in Mexico’s Chiapas region face serious crop losses from anthracnose, a fungal disease caused by Colletotrichum. Researchers found a beneficial bacterium called Paenibacillus sp. NMA1017 that can suppress this disease as effectively as commercial fungicide alternatives. By testing this natural biocontrol agent both in the laboratory and on actual cacao farms, they demonstrated it could reduce disease occurrence from 65% down to just 12-20%, offering farmers a sustainable alternative to chemical treatments.

Secretion of antifungal metabolites contributes to the antagonistic activity of Talaromyces oaxaquensis

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Researchers discovered that a fungus called Talaromyces oaxaquensis, found naturally in banana plants, produces powerful antifungal chemicals that kill the banana disease pathogen Fusarium oxysporum. The study identified specific compounds, particularly one called 15G256α, that damage the fungal cell wall of the pathogen. This discovery suggests a natural way to protect banana crops from a devastating disease that threatens global banana production.

Laboratory and Field Bioassays of Arthropod Pathogenic Fungi Application for the Control of the Hazelnut Big Bud Mite, Phytoptus avellanae s. l.

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Hazelnut farming is threatened by small pests called big bud mites that damage buds and reduce crop production. This study tested two types of beneficial fungi as a natural pest control method, finding that Beauveria bassiana was very effective at killing these mites in both laboratory and field conditions. These fungal treatments could provide farmers with a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting their hazelnut crops.

Effects of Resinous Compounds from Pine Trees on Spore Germination and Mycelial Growth of a Nematophagous Fungus, Esteya vermicola

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Researchers tested whether a beneficial fungus called Esteya vermicola could be injected into pine trees to fight pine wilt disease. However, they discovered that natural resinous compounds found in pine trees strongly inhibit the growth of this fungus. The findings suggest that trunk injection of this fungus may not be an effective treatment because the tree’s own defensive compounds prevent the fungus from establishing itself and fighting the harmful nematodes.

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 Topic: biological control