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Pathogenic Mechanisms and Biological Control in Entomopathogenic Fungi
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Pathogenic Mechanisms and Biological Control in Entomopathogenic Fungi

A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X). This special issue belongs to the section "Fungi in Agriculture and Biotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 2805

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Guoxiong Peng

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, 174 Shazheng St., Shangpingba District, Chongqing 400030, China
Interests: entomopathogenic fungi; insects; pest control
Dr. Senmiao Tong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
Interests: entomopathogenic fungi; insects; biological control

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Abundant pathogenic fungi in nature play a significant role in regulating insect populations. Due to their advantages such as the difficulty for pests to develop resistance and the ease of causing epidemics among pests, they have become an important means of green pest control. The pathogenic mechanisms of insect pathogenic fungi are complex, infecting insects by adhering, germinating, and penetrating the host's exoskeleton, as well as proliferating and secreting toxins within the insect's body and tissues, ultimately leading to the death of the insect. In response, host insects have evolved their physical barriers, cellular and humoral immune responses, and antagonism against microorganisms to combat fungal infections, for which insect pathogenic fungi must evade or overcome to successfully cause disease. The current limitations in understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of pathogenic fungi restrict their application in the field. Additionally, the characteristics of insect pathogenic fungal strains and their production, formulation, and field application techniques are important factors affecting the efficacy of field pest control. Therefore, providing the latest advances in the pathogenic mechanisms of insect pathogenic fungi and biological control can promote the application of insecticidal fungal pesticides. For this Special Issue, we encourage the submission of all relevant themed articles, including reviews, articles, or viewpoints, for consideration.

Prof. Dr. Guoxiong Peng
Dr. Senmiao Tong
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Fungi is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • fungi
  • virulence
  • insect
  • immunity
  • metabolites
  • infection
  • biological control
  • microbiota

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 4865 KiB  
Article
The PKS–NRPS Gene BBA_09856 Deletion Mutant of Beauveria bassiana Enhanced Its Virulence Against Ostrinia furnacalis Larvae and Strengthened the Host Plant’s Resistance to Botrytis cinerea as an Endotype
by Yanan Wang, Xiaowei Zou, Xiaomin Zhu, Ji Qi, Jianfeng Liu and Zhengkun Zhang
J. Fungi 2025, 11(3), 197; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11030197 - 4 Mar 2025
Viewed by 505
Abstract
Nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) and polyketide synthase (PKS) play crucial roles in the development and pathogenicity of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. However, they are among the few biosynthetic gene clusters with unknown functions in B. bassiana. To investigate the role [...] Read more.
Nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) and polyketide synthase (PKS) play crucial roles in the development and pathogenicity of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. However, they are among the few biosynthetic gene clusters with unknown functions in B. bassiana. To investigate the role of the hybrid PKS–NRPS synthetase gene BBA_09856 in B. bassiana, we constructed a mutant strain, ∆BBA09856-WT, by deleting the BBA_09856 gene through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. We then analyzed the biological characteristics of the mutant strain and the virulence of the mutant strain toward Ostrinia furnacalis larvae, as well as its antagonistic effects against the phytopathogen Botrytis cinerea. We found that the average growth rate of the three mutant strains, ∆BBA09856-WT, was significantly higher compared to the wild-type (WT) strain on the 15th day of culture on potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates (7.01 cm vs. 6.30 cm, p < 0.01). Additionally, the average spore production(3.16 × 107/cm2 vs. 9.95 × 106/cm2, p < 0.001) and germination rate (82.50% vs. 54.72%, 12 h, p < 0.001) were significantly different between the three mutant strains, ∆BBA09856-WT, and the WT strain. The average survival rates of O. furnacalis infected with the WT strain and the three mutant strains, ∆BBA09856-WT, after 8 days were 61.66%, and 30.00%, respectively, indicating that the pathogenicity of the tested mutant strains was significantly greater than that of the WT strain. The results of the dual culture test indicated that the inhibitory rates of the WT and ∆BBA09856-WT strains against B. cinerea were 40.25% and 47.65%, respectively (p < 0.001). Similarly, in the dual culture test, the WT strain reduced the growth of B. cinerea by 9.90%, while the ∆BBA09856-WT exhibited a significantly greater inhibition rate of 28.29% (p < 0.05). The diameters of disease spots, measured 6 d after inoculation with B. cinerea in the tomato treatment groups, revealed significant differences in endophytic colonization between the WT and ∆BBA09856-WT strains in the WT+Bc and ∆BBA09856-WT+Bc treatment groups (15.26 mm vs. 12.16 mm, p < 0.01). Notably, ∆BBA09856-WT exhibited enhanced virulence toward O. furnacalis larvae and increased antagonistic activity against B. cinerea. Our results indicate that the gene BBA_09856 may have a negative correlation with the development and virulence of B. bassiana toward the insect pest O. furnacalis larvae, as well as its antagonism against B. cinerea. These findings suggest that molecular techniques, such as gene editing, could be employed to develop superior strains of B. bassiana for the biological control of plant diseases and insect pests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenic Mechanisms and Biological Control in Entomopathogenic Fungi)
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Review

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18 pages, 4899 KiB  
Review
Endophytic Entomopathogenic Fungi: Their Role in Enhancing Plant Resistance, Managing Insect Pests, and Synergy with Management Routines
by Krishnamoorthy Aravinthraju, Mookiah Shanthi, Marimuthu Murugan, Ramasamy Srinivasan, Lourena Arone Maxwell, Narayanan Manikanda Boopathi and Rangasamy Anandham
J. Fungi 2024, 10(12), 865; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10120865 - 13 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1850
Abstract
The interaction between plants and microorganisms plays a major role in plant growth promotion and disease management. While most microorganisms directly influence plant health, some indirectly support growth through pest and disease suppression. Endophytic entomopathogenic fungi are diverse, easily localized, and have long-lasting [...] Read more.
The interaction between plants and microorganisms plays a major role in plant growth promotion and disease management. While most microorganisms directly influence plant health, some indirectly support growth through pest and disease suppression. Endophytic entomopathogenic fungi are diverse, easily localized, and have long-lasting effects on insect pests. When inhabiting plants, these fungi alter secondary metabolites, volatile organic compounds, and microbiomes, enhancing plant resistance to pests and diseases and sometimes improving growth. However, their persistence in plant systems may be challenged by the plant’s defense mechanisms or by human interventions such as insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, and phyto-insecticides, which are common in agriculture. As effective biocontrol agents, endophytic entomopathogenic fungi can also be integrated with other pest management strategies like predators, parasitoids, and chemicals. This review will explore the impact of endophytic entomopathogens on plant systems and their compatibility with other management practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenic Mechanisms and Biological Control in Entomopathogenic Fungi)
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