Search Results (750)

Plant-parasitic nematodes are a significant agricultural challenge, causing extensive damage to most essential crops globally. Predatory soil mites play a significant role as biocontrol agents against plant-parasitic nematodes and other pests in the soil ecosystem. A laboratory trial was conducted to evaluate the potential of the soil-dwelling predatory mite, Androlaelaps casalis (Berlese), to suppress the citrus nematode, Tylenchulus semipenetrans Cobb, and the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White). Our findings show that the predatory mite, A. casalis, completed development, oviposition, and survival when fed on second-stage juveniles of both T. semipenetrans (Ts-J2) and M. incognita (Mi-J2) and egg mass of M. incognita (Mi-EM) as prey in the lab in closed arenas at 30 °C, 55% RH. Survivorship was lower on (Mi-EM) than on (Ts-J2) and (Mi-J2). Individuals of A. casalis reared on (Ts-J2) and (Mi-J2) prey demonstrated enhanced performance as compared to (Mi-EM) prey. In addition, females laid a total of 48.72, 46.50, and 12.45 eggs on the three types of prey, respectively. Life table parameters showed that feeding of A. casalis on (Ts-J2) and (Mi-J2) led to the greatest intrinsic rate of increase per day (r_m = 0.286 and 0.279 females/female/day), while preying on (Mi-EM) offered the lowest reproduction rate (r_m = 0.092). In conclusion, this study provides novel insights into the biology and predatory performance of A. casalis under controlled laboratory conditions, providing foundational evidence that may inform the development of future sustainable nematode management strategies. Full article

Continuous cropping obstacles (CCOs) seriously constrain tomato yield and quality in facility agriculture, primarily due to rhizosphere microbial imbalance. Indigenous synthetic microbial communities (SynCom) offer superior colonization and stability compared to single strains. This study aimed at constructing a simplified SynCom from indigenous rhizobacteria in Northwest China to alleviate tomato CCOs. A total of 155 rhizobacterial strains (29 genera) were isolated. Sixteen strains with significant growth-promoting effects were selected through seedling assays. Based on the carbon source niche overlap index (NOI > 70%) with Ralstonia solanacearum QL-Rs1115, eight candidate strains were retained. Using the broken-stick model, 29 simplified SynComs were constructed. SynCom28, composed of six functionally complementary strains (Azospirillum brasilense, Massilia niabensis, Enterobacter hormaechei, Chryseobacterium sp., Priestia megaterium and Pseudomonas brassicacearum), showed the best performance. Pot experiments revealed that SynCom28 reduced the bacterial wilt disease index to 32.41, with a biocontrol efficacy of 41.72%. Greenhouse trials under continuous cropping demonstrated that SynCom28 significantly increased seedling Dickson quality index (DQI), stem diameter and biomass. Fruit yield increased by 12.98–15.30% across the 2nd to 4th cropping cycles (p < 0.05). Fruit quality parameters were also enhanced, with soluble sugar, lycopene, and vitamin C contents increasing by 47.22–65.07%, 33.07–81.71% and 80.56–166.67%, respectively. In conclusion, the indigenous simplified SynCom28 effectively alleviates tomato CCOs, enhancing growth, yield, and quality while suppressing bacterial wilt, providing a promising strategy for sustainable facility agriculture. Full article

Charcoal rot, caused by the pathogen Macrophomina, is becoming an increasing challenge in Australia’s northern cropping systems, with few effective management options available. The use of non-indigenous biocontrol agents raises ecological and regulatory concerns, which highlights the need to identify locally adapted microbial antagonists. In this study, indigenous Trichoderma isolates were collected from rhizosphere soils across Queensland and northern New South Wales and characterised using multilocus sequencing (ITS, tef-1α, rpb2) coupled with phylogenetic analysis. Twenty-six isolates were resolved into six species, dominated by T. azevedoi and T. afroharzianum. Dual-culture assays revealed substantial variation in antagonistic capacity, with several isolates achieving >70% inhibition of Macrophomina growth and maintaining consistent performance across pathogen genotypes. Functional screening indicated that enzyme-associated antibiosis was widespread, whereas volatile-mediated inhibition was restricted to a small subset of isolates. These findings demonstrate that biocontrol potential in indigenous Trichoderma populations is highly strain-dependent rather than species-driven. By integrating multilocus identification with functional screening, this study provides a practical framework for selecting locally adapted biocontrol candidates. This work establishes a foundation for developing region-specific biological control strategies and supports a shift toward targeted, strain-level selection for effective management of charcoal rot. Full article

Biological control is one of the most effective strategies for managing crop fungal diseases such as rice blast, which severely threatens global food security. However, the limited availability of microbial biocontrol resources and incomplete understanding of their mechanisms hinder the development of practical biocontrol technologies for rice blast. In this study, a Bacillus stercoris strain, JK-6, isolated from the rhizosphere soil of rice, was identified as a promising biocontrol agent with strong antagonistic activity against multiple fungal pathogens. The fermentation broth of JK-6 yielded inhibition rates of 94.96% against Magnaporthe oryzae (rice blast), 75.83% against Bipolaris maydis (maize southern leaf blight), and 70.46% against Fusarium graminearum (wheat head blight). Whole-genome sequencing of JK-6 revealed 12 biosynthetic gene clusters, one of which was responsible for the biosynthesis of the lipopeptide surfactin. Further assays showed that 200 μM surfactin exhibited broad-spectrum antifungal activity, with inhibition rates of 82.90%, 66.76%, and 52.54% against M. oryzae, B. maydis, and F. graminearum, respectively. Mechanistically, surfactin suppresses fungal growth by downregulating genes involved in integral and intrinsic membrane components and oxygen transport, as validated by transcriptomic analysis. Our discoveries not only advance the conceptual understanding of the surfactin-mediated JK-6 antagonistic activity against fungal diseases but also offer an effective new approach for the practical control of crop fungal diseases. Full article

Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins are well known for their high insecticidal activity against Lepidoptera, Diptera, and Coleoptera and have been widely used in Bt transgenic crops. However, their activity against Hemipteran aphids remains relatively low. Identifying novel Cry proteins and elucidating their action mechanisms can facilitate the development of effective aphid control strategies. In this study, we found that ingestion of Cry2Ab12 did not kill Myzus persicae adults but significantly reduced their offspring number and exerted a lethal effect on M. persicae nymphs. After identifying Cry2Ab12 toxin-binding proteins in M. persicae, we further characterized the interaction with Obg-like ATPase 1 (OLA1), a conserved protein involved in growth regulation. Bio-layer interferometry (BLI), ELISA, and enzyme activity assays revealed that Cry2Ab12 and OLA1 do not interact directly. Interestingly, heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) was shown to mediate the interaction among Cry2Ab12, HSP60, and OLA1, leading to inhibition of OLA1 enzymatic activity. Based on these findings and bioinformatics simulations, we proposed a mechanistic model for Cry2Ab12 toxicity against M. persicae: upon ingestion of a sufficient amount of Cry2Ab12, the formation of the Cry2Ab12–HSP60–OLA1 complex impairs the cellular stress response, disrupts normal OLA1 expression, and ultimately restricts larval growth and development, resulting in lethality. This study provides new insights into the action of Cry toxins in aphids and offers a basis for developing enhanced aphid biocontrol strategies. Full article

Macrophomina phaseolina is a plant-pathogenic fungus that causes charcoal rot in sesame crops, which is the most significant disease affecting this crop worldwide. In Mexico, the interaction between M. phaseolina and sesame has been poorly studied. Therefore, this research aimed to characterize Macrophomina spp. isolates from diseased sesame roots in northern Sinaloa, Mexico, using morphological, molecular, and pathogenic methods. It also assessed the in vitro effectiveness of biocontrol agents and chemical fungicides. Six isolates of Macrophomina were identified through morphology, species-specific tef1-α primers, and phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences (ITS + tef1-α), confirming their identity as M. phaseolina; all isolates proved to be pathogenic. Antagonism assays with Trichoderma spp. showed statistically significant differences. Trichoderma isolates inhibited mycelial growth by up to 63% against M. phaseolina. In fungicide sensitivity tests, M. phaseolina isolates showed EC₅₀ values ranging from 0.002–0.123, 0.049 to 1.397 and 0.029 to 0.539 mg L⁻¹ for thiophanate-methyl, tebuconazole, and pyraclostrobin, respectively. In summary, Trichoderma spp. isolates and the tested fungicides warrant further research as potential strategies to manage M. phaseolina in sesame fields. Full article

Fungi are a promising source of biological control agents for the management of phytopathogens such as Cercospora apii, the causal agent of celery early blight. Exploring native fungal isolates associated with agroecosystems near celery production is essential for identifying biocontrol candidates and supporting sustainable, integrated disease management strategies. In this study, fungal isolates were obtained from leaves and soil samples collected across agricultural and natural environments and their antagonistic potential against C. apii was evaluated using in vitro assays. A total of 48 fungal isolates were screened for growth inhibition, of which 12 reduced pathogen colony size by more than 50% in vitro, representing five morphological and taxonomic groups: Aspergillus fumigatus, Fusarium spp., Mucor spp., Neopestalotiopsis sp. and Nigrospora sp. Notably, isolates exhibiting the highest antagonistic activity over time were predominantly derived from leaf samples (p < 0.0001). Two isolates, Mucor nidicola KX3187 and M. irregularis KX3197, consistently showed strong inhibition of C. apii in vitro (up to 85%), and M. nidicola significantly suppressed disease development in planta. This preliminary study identifies Mucor nidicola KX3187 as a potential biocontrol candidate that showed promising activity in greenhouse trials for celery early blight and provides a foundation for future studies to further evaluate its potential as a component of sustainable disease management strategies. Full article

Microbial biocontrol agents often exhibit limited shelf life, which restricts their commercialization, storage, and large-scale agricultural application. In this study, freeze-drying (FD) microencapsulation was evaluated as a strategy to improve the stability of a wettable powder (WP) formulation based on Bacillus subtilis fermented broth using maltodextrin (MD) as a carrier. The physicochemical, structural, morphological, and antifungal properties of the resulting formulation were characterized. Physical characterization revealed complete solubility (100% at 0.1 g mL⁻¹), rapid wettability (2 s), and low hygroscopicity (3.86%), indicating favorable properties for handling and application. Scanning electron microscopy revealed irregular glass-like particles of different sizes, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated the distribution of components within the maltodextrin matrix. The antifungal activity of the WP and the effects of its volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were evaluated against the phytopathogenic fungi Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Fusarium graminearum, Rhizoctonia solani, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The formulation inhibited fungal growth within the tested concentration range (0.1–0.2 g mL⁻¹), although no clear inhibition zone was observed for S. sclerotiorum. Furthermore, the WP maintained 65% viability after 24 months of storage at 4 °C. These results demonstrate the potential of FD microencapsulation to enhance the storage stability of Bacillus subtilis formulations while preserving their antifungal activity. Full article

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a globally important horticultural crop, with Asia contributing 60.45% of total production, followed by the Americas at 13.36%. Tomato productivity is increasingly constrained by southern blight, a destructive disease responsible for yield losses ranging from 30 to 90% and annual economic damage of $10–20 million. The causal pathogen, Sclerotium rolfsii, infects the stem base and induces reddish-brown cankers through secretion of oxalic acid (OA) and cell wall-degrading enzymes, which girdle tissues, impair water transport, and result in rapid plant wilting and death. Its persistence in soil via sclerotia, broad host range, and adaptability make the disease difficult to manage. Recent advances in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and other multi-omics approaches have substantially improved understanding of pathogen virulence factors, host defense responses and disease epidemiology. These studies have revealed key roles of OA, carbohydrate-active enzymes, effector proteins, and sclerotial melanization in pathogenesis, while highlighting the activation of salicylic acid (SA)-, jasmonic acid (JA)-, and ethylene (ET)-mediated defense pathways in tomato. Although cultural, biological, and chemical measures are available, these measures often provide inconsistent protection when used alone. Promising strategies include the use of biocontrol agents, hypovirulence-inducing mycoviruses, and chemical fungicides such as carboxamides and quinone outside inhibitors (QoIs), though fungicide resistance remains a risk factor. Integrated Disease Management (IDM) approaches, such as combining biocontrol agents with fungicides, demonstrate enhanced efficacy. This review also evaluates progress in resistance breeding, grafting, RNA interference (HIGS and SIGS), CRISPR-based genome editing, and exploitation of wild genotypes for durable resistance. Furthermore, emerging precision agriculture tools, including hyperspectral imaging, machine learning-assisted disease detection and climate-resilient management strategies, were discussed as new components of sustainable disease management. Full article

Nutgall tree anthracnose, caused primarily by Colletotrichum species, acts as a primary bottleneck restricting the sustainable development of the Rhus chinensis industry. Developing green biocontrol strategies by screening molecular targets for novel fungicides is highly imperative. A strain designated as Serratia plymuthica WF63 was isolated from healthy R. chinensis tissues. The strain exhibited broad-spectrum antifungal activity and multiple plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits, including the production of protease, cellulase, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). In vivo experiments revealed that S. plymuthica strain WF63 achieved a biocontrol efficacy of over 50% against anthracnose pathogens (Colletotrichum nymphaeae and C. fioriniae) and demonstrated significant plant growth-promoting effects. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, combined with in vitro toxicity validation of pure compounds, identified hexahydro-2H-pyrido [1,2-a]pyrazin-3(4H)-one as a core antifungal component in the fermentation broth, with a half maximal effective concentration $\left(E{C}_{50}\right)$ of 133.88 mg·L⁻¹ against the target pathogen. These findings not only highlight S. plymuthica strain WF63 as a promising antifungal biological agent but also suggest that the specific nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound may serve as a candidate scaffold for further fungicide optimization, pending comprehensive ecotoxicological evaluation. Full article

To identify novel field control strategies against Pyrrhalta aenescens (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and provide scientific support for its biocontrol in urban tree management, this study investigated the virulence of Beauveria bassiana against this pest under laboratory conditions, as well as its physiological and biochemical effects. Bioassays using the dipping method showed that B. bassiana was pathogenic to all developmental stages of P. aenescens, with the highest virulence observed against early-instar larvae (1st and 2nd instars). For these stages, corrected mortality and mycosis rate were positively correlated with conidial concentration, and the median lethal time (LT₅₀) was the shortest. In contrast, pupae and eggs exhibited the strongest resistance to fungal infection. In leaf-disk choice tests, larvae significantly preferred untreated leaves or those treated with low concentrations of B. bassiana, displaying a concentration-dependent repellent response to the fungus. Physiological measurements revealed that larval body length and weight gain were significantly inhibited following fungal exposure. Further analysis indicated that B. bassiana infection markedly reduced total hemocyte counts and triggered intense melanization and nodulation responses, particularly in younger larvae. Overall, these results suggest that B. bassiana has strong potential for the biological control of P. aenescens. Control measures targeting early-instar larvae are recommended for cost-effective management, providing a scientific basis for developing eco-friendly control technologies based on this entomopathogenic fungus. Full article

Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) is a major cruciferous crop pest worldwide with resistance to multiple insecticide classes, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are promising biocontrol agents, but their efficacy is limited by slow pathogenicity, environmental sensitivity, and low persistence on insect cuticles. This study evaluated integrated formulation strategies to enhance the virulence of Beauveria namnaoensis PM-02 against P. xylostella under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Putative copper and zinc nanoparticle preparations were generated using fungal biomass extracts, with nanoparticle formation inferred from visual changes in the reaction mixtures. Oil-emulsified fungal formulations and combinations with emamectin benzoate were also evaluated. Larval mortality increased significantly with concentration, indicating a clear dose-dependent response. The combined treatment of oil-emulsified fungus and emamectin benzoate, along with emamectin benzoate alone, resulted in the highest larval mortality (100%), whereas fungus alone caused the lowest mortality (43.3%). Lethal concentration (LC₅₀₎ analysis indicated high toxicity of the combined treatment, while lethal time (LT₅₀) values demonstrated more rapid mortality for emamectin benzoate (0.176 days) and the combined treatment (0.830 days) compared with fungus alone (6.25 days). Under greenhouse conditions, the combined treatment showed the highest efficacy, reducing larval survival to 30% and demonstrating enhanced insecticidal activity. Overall, integrated formulation strategies significantly improved fungal efficacy against P. xylostella. Full article

Phage therapy is increasingly recognized as a promising alternative to antibiotics for controlling bacterial diseases in aquaculture. This review focuses specifically on sea cucumber farming, with emphasis on phage application methods, therapeutic performance, and current limitations in translating laboratory results into field use. Available studies show that phage-based treatments can improve the survival of Apostichopus japonicus challenged with Vibrio spp., especially when delivered through feed or formulated as phage cocktails. However, practical application is still constrained by host-range specificity, phage resistance, environmental stability, delivery efficiency, and regulatory barriers. By summarizing recent evidence and identifying research gaps, this review highlights the potential of phage therapy as a sustainable disease management strategy for sea cucumber aquaculture. Full article

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne javanica and M. incognita) constrain olive (Olea europaea L.) production and require safer alternatives to chemical nematicides. Despite the growing interest in microbial biocontrol agents, limited information is available on how application timing and microbial consortia influence nematode suppression and host biochemical responses in olive. This greenhouse study evaluated endophytic Trichoderma (T. harzianum) and Bacillus (B. subtilis), applied alone or in combination, either before or after nematode inoculation, to determine how biocontrol treatment timing influences nematode suppression, plant performance, and host biochemical responses. Across both nematode species, preventive application consistently outperformed curative application, and the combined treatment delivered the strongest overall protection. Preventive co-application reduced nematode infection, improved root and shoot growth, attenuated oxidative damage, and preserved chlorophyll more effectively than single-agent or post-inoculation treatments. Spectroscopic (Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR)) and multivariate analyses further showed that effective treatments were associated with lower nematode-associated protein and lipid signals and stronger signatures of structural defense in root tissues. Although M. javanica caused greater physiological disruption than M. incognita, both species responded to the same general treatment pattern. These findings show that early establishment of microbial biocontrol agents is critical for durable suppression of root-knot nematodes in olive and supports preventive microbial consortia as a promising strategy for integrated nematode management. Full article

Massilia varians has potential as a probiotic to inhibit bacterial pathogens in aquaculture, but very limited information is available regarding its use in Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis for enhancing host immunity, antioxidant ability and intestinal microbiota homeostasis. In this study, a 40-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of dietary supplementation with M. varians P2-4 on nonspecific immune response, antioxidant status, intestinal microbiota and resistance against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in E. sinensis. Results demonstrated that dietary supplementation with M. varians P2-4 at 6.0 × 10⁶ to 6.0 × 10⁸ CFU/g diet significantly boosted nonspecific immunity and improved antioxidant capability of E. sinensis, mainly as evidenced by markedly increased activities of plasma lysozyme, plasma superoxide dismutase, hepatopancreatic superoxide dismutase and catalase. Furthermore, crabs fed M. varians P2-4-supplemented diets exhibited markedly improvements in intestinal microbiota composition and diversity, and showed substantially enhanced survival following P. aeruginosa challenge, with 7-day relative percentage survival ranging from 76.9% to 100.0%. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to reveal that M. varians P2-4 supplementation functions as a new biocontrol strategy in E. sinensis by effectively improving the non-specific immunity, antioxidant status and intestinal microbiota to mitigate P. aeruginosa infection. Full article