This review outlines the responsive polymer methods currently in use with their potential application to plant protection and puts forward plant-specific mechanisms as stimuli in newly devised methods for smart release of crop protection agents (CPAs). CPAs include chemicals (fungicides, insecticides, herbicides), biochemicals (antibiotics, RNA-based vaccines for plant viruses), semiochemicals (pheromones, repellents, allomones), microbial pesticides, growth regulators (insect and plant) or micronutrients, all with crop protection effects. This appraisal focuses on emerging uses of polymer nano-encapsulated CPAs. Firstly, the most interesting advances in controlled release methods are critically discussed with their advantages and drawbacks. Secondly, several plant-specific stimuli-based smart methods are anticipated for use alongside the polymer nano- or micro-capsules. These new CPA release methods are designed to (i) protect plants against infection produced by fungi or bacteria, and (ii) apply micro-nutrients when the plants need it the most. Thus, we foresee (i) the responsive release of nano- encapsulated bio-insecticides regulated by plant stress enzymes, and (ii) the delivery of micro-nutrients synchronized by the nature or intensity of plant root exudates. Such continued advances of nano-scale smart polymer-based CPAs for the protection of crops herald a “small revolution” for the benefit of sustainable agriculture.

Romania has a long history of grapevine culturing and winemaking. However, like any agricultural sector, viticulture faces devastating biological threats. Fungi responsible for grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) and grape spoilage lead to considerable yield losses and a decline in grapevine quality. In the actual context, many countries, including Romania, have reoriented their approaches to minimize chemical inputs, which have been proven to be toxic and to have negative impacts on the environment, and to replace them with sustainable biocontrol strategies for the wine-growing sector. Within biocontrol strategies, Bacillus spp. is a well-known plant-protective bacteria with antifungal properties. Within this paper, six endophytic bacteria from various plant sources were studied. The bacterial strains were identified as B. pumilus, B. subtilis, and B. velezensis by sequencing their 16S rDNA region. Regardless of the in vitro test methods (using living bacterial cells, bacterial-cell-free supernatant (CFS), and volatile active compounds (VOCs)), B. velezensis strains revealed strong and broad antifungal activity against grape and grapevine fungal pathogens such as Aspergillus spp., Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium expansum, Diplodia seriata, Eutypa lata, Fusarium spp., Clonostachys rosea, Neofusicoccum parvum, and Stereum hirsutum. The functional antifungal genes encoding for difficidin, fengycin, iturins, macrolactin, and mycosubtilin were molecularly detected, which could support the proven antifungal activity of the endophytic strains. Lytic enzymes involved in fungal growth inhibition, such as chitinase, cellulase, and proteases, were also revealed to be produced by some of these bacterial strains. Various other in vitro tests, such as phosphate and phytate solubilization, phytohormone synthesis, the production of enzymes involved in the polyamine biosynthetic pathway, and pH as well as temperature tolerance tests were carried out to reveal the plant-beneficial potential of these bacterial strains. These results revealed that the B. velezensis strains, especially BAHs1, are the most suitable endophytes for grapevine biologic control, which could lead to the future development of sustainable management strategies.

Recent agricultural research aims to identify novel applications for plant extracts as efficient defenses against weeds, insects, or phytopathogenic agents. The main goal of the present study was to evaluate two new varieties of basil (Ocimum basilicum L., fam. Lamiaceae), Yellow basil, “Aromat de Buzau” variety and Red-violet basil, “Serafim” variety. The basil varieties were studied under different aspects regarding biochemical characterization using GC-MS, antioxidant activity evaluated under three methods (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP), and antimicrobial properties (for three G-bacteria: Perctobacterium carotovorum, Pseudomonas marginalis, Pseudomonas syringae and three phytopathogenic fungi: Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Botrytis cinerea). The results showed that linalool (39.28%; 55.51%), estragole (31.48%; 9.78%), and eugenol (5.42%; 7.63%) are the main compounds identified in the extracts, validating the high antioxidant activity of the studied essential oils and floral waters. When applied in high concentrations, essential oils have shown a potential bactericidal effect on P. carotovorum as well as a potential fungicidal effect on R. solani and B. cinerea.

The excessive use of synthetic pesticides for plant pathogens control could cause possible harmful side-effects to humans and animals, environmental pollution, residual toxicity, affects soil characteristics or induce the development of fungal resistance. Alternative ways for fungal contamination control involve natural products, based on microorganisms, many of them being already available for use. The selection and characterization of new biological agents useful for plant pathogens control are permanent goals for plant protection researches. In the last decade, several studies revealed that Streptomyces species are promising biocontrol agents against a wide range of phytopathogenic fungi, including Fusarium spp., one of the most important wheat pathogens. In our study, 60 strains of Streptomyces spp. were isolated from soil or compost and evaluated for in vitro antifungal abilities by dual confrontation method. At least 30% of the isolates presented inhibitory activity against F. culmorum and F. graminearum. The bacterial strains were also tested for their ability to produce various bioactive compounds, possible involved in fungal inhibition. The capacity of some of the bacterial isolates to produce cellulases, amylases, lipases and volatile metabolites was proved. In addition, a new screening method for chitinases production was developed, based on the use of a combination of Congo red and Lugol solutions, which allowed the detection of chitinases in several Streptomyces spp. strains. Moreover, the reduction of the level of some Fusarium mycotoxins was detected by HPTLC analysis. As a conclusion, antagonistic interactions between Streptomyces isolates and fusaria could involve antibiosis, competition and parasitism and suggested that at least some of the selected isolates could be used in obtaining biological control products.

Considering the current global climate and demographic conditions, combined with the growing demand for food diversification, the need for innovative functional foods that adhere to the principles of the circular economy is becoming clear. Therefore, this research aims to identify an appropriate cultivation system and growth substrate to maintain a high germination rate and produce basil aromatic microplants with superior quality traits that are entirely edible, together with the substrate. Microplants were grown in both aseptic (AS) and non-aseptic (NAS) systems. Both AS and NAS experiments were conducted in vitro using eco-innovative production technology. Moreover, various growth substrates were tested, such as perlite, agar, banana peel, peat, and their combinations. The analyses focused on the germination capacity, morphometric measurements, and biochemical analyses of the microplants. The results showed that the edible agar-based substrate, used in both AS and NAS, increased the germination capacity up to 95.00 ± 0.30%, while peat provided a germination capacity of only 12.07 ± 1.27% under AS conditions and 6.07 ± 0.35% under NAS conditions. Most biochemical analyses indicated that AS conditions are more suitable for basil microplant production, increasing the dry matter content, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and total antioxidant capacity compared to NAS conditions. These findings support the adoption of a new eco-innovative technology that provides organic basil microplants, which are fully usable along with the edible agar substrate.

The increasing emphasis on sustainability and reduced chemical dependency in agriculture has brought renewed attention to biological control as a viable alternative for crop protection. This review outlines the historical evolution of biological control, tracing the shift from early empirical practices to modern approaches informed by scientific research, the development of biopesticides, and the growing understanding of their ecological roles in sustainable agriculture. Furthermore, the paper examines the European regulatory framework, global market trends, and farmers’ perceptions regarding the adoption of bio-based products. Despite significant progress in research, innovation and policy support, the adoption of biological control agents remains uneven across regions, limited by economic constraints, regulatory complexity and insufficient awareness. Strengthening farmer education, harmonizing regulations and promoting applied innovation are key steps toward broader implementation and a more sustainable agricultural future.