Advances in Biological Control of Fungal Phytopathogens: Toward Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Agriculture
摘要
Phytopathogens pose a major challenge to sustainable crop production in the current global context, with fungal pathogens responsible for approximately 80% of all plant diseases. Microbe infections yearly affect around 25% of the world’s plant crops. Over the years, various management strategies have been employed with varying degrees of success. Despite these efforts, agricultural practices still largely depend on agrochemicals, including fungicides, to control fungal pathogens. Though fungicides are effective in managing many severe plant diseases, they often have detrimental non-target and negative effects, disrupting ecosystems and causing environmental degradation. In this concern, biocontrol compounds derived from microorganisms present reliable and effective alternatives for plant disease management. The development and application of microbes-based or “green fungicides” are essential for eco-friendly and sustainable plant disease management. In recent years, numerous antifungal compounds sourced from bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms have been successfully screened and applied against pathogenic fungi. These compounds not only control disease outbreaks but also help preserve a healthy and sustainable environment. Continued exploration and screening of diverse microorganisms are crucial to discover novel and effective antifungal agents for the management of fungal diseases. Furthermore, the bio-control agents can be incorporated with the Integrated Disease Management (IDM) program for ecological and effective control of phytopathogens.