Plants are constantly exposed to various phytopathogens such as fungi, Oomycetes, nematodes, bacteria, and viruses. These pathogens can significantly reduce the productivity of important crops worldwide, with annual crop yield losses ranging from 20% to 40% caused by various pathogenic diseases. While the use of chemical pesticides has been effective at controlling multiple diseases in major crops, excessive use of synthetic chemicals has detrimental effects on the environment and human health, which discourages pesticide application in the agriculture sector. As a result, researchers worldwide have shifted their focus towards alternative eco-friendly strategies to prevent plant diseases. Biocontrol of phytopathogens is a less toxic and safer method that reduces the severity of various crop diseases. A variety of biological control agents (BCAs) are available for use, but further research is needed to identify potential microbes and their natural products with a broad-spectrum antagonistic activity to control crop diseases. This review aims to highlight the importance of biocontrol strategies for managing crop diseases. Furthermore, the role of beneficial microbes in controlling plant diseases and the current status of their biocontrol mechanisms will be summarized. The review will also cover the challenges and the need for the future development of biocontrol methods to ensure efficient crop disease management for sustainable agriculture.

Meloidogyne javanica is one of the most widespread and economically important nematodes in many countries, including China. In this study, a recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay was evaluated for the detection of M. javanica based on the sequences of a sequence-characterized amplified regions marker gene segment. The RPA assay specifically detected M. javanica from individual juvenile or adult female, M. javanica-induced galls, and nematodes in the soil samples. The detection limit of M. javanica RPA assay was 1 pg of purified genomic DNA, 0.01 adult female, or 0.1 second-stage juvenile, which was 10 times more sensitive than conventional PCR assay. Furthermore, combined with lateral flow dipstick (LFD), a visual detection method of LFD-RPA assay was developed, which is suitable for onsite surveys and routine diagnostics. Results indicate that the RPA assay is rapid, sensitive, and reliable for detection and molecular identification of M. javanica.

Root rot of soybean, caused by Fusarium spp. is a devastating disease in most soybean cultivation regions. It is important to characterize the distribution and frequency of Fusarium species causing...

Fusarium crown rot (FCR) caused by Fusarium species adversely affects wheat production worldwide. The present study investigated the distribution and diversity of Fusarium spp. collected from wheat samples in 12 regions of Anhui Province, China, in 2020, 2022, and 2024. A total of nine Fusarium species were identified from 1,099 isolates based on morphological and molecular identification. The dominant pathogen of FCR gradually changed from F. graminearum to F. pseudograminearum with time and from regions of Anhui Province. Pathogenicity assays indicated that all Fusarium species might induce FCR in wheat seedlings; however, F. culmorum was the most pathogenic, followed by F. pseudograminearum and F. graminearum. The knowledge regarding fungicide combinations used to control FCR is largely limited. Hence, the control effects of pyraclostrobin and prothioconazole against F. pseudograminearum were evaluated, both individually and in combination. The results showed that F. pseudograminearum is sensitive to prothioconazole and pyraclostrobin, with average EC₅₀ values of 0.611 and 1.345 μg/ml, respectively. Additionally, the co-formulation (1:1) was more effective than prothioconazole alone. The results of the seed treatment experiment also revealed that the combination of prothioconazole and pyraclostrobin had greater control effects (80.34%) and yields (7,892.35 kg/ha) in the field than did the combination of prothioconazole or pyraclostrobin alone. Thus, the present study is the first to monitor the distribution pattern of Fusarium spp. in Anhui Province and report a novel combination of the triazole prothioconazole and pyraclostrobin for FCR control in wheat to ensure sustainable agriculture.

Stay-green syndrome (SGS) is an important factor that causes soybean (Glycine max) yield reduction. Despite progress being made, the regulatory mechanism remains largely unclear. Therefore, in this study, an SGS-sensitive soybean variety, “HD0702”, was employed to investigate the underlying mechanism. Transcriptomic analyses were performed in a tissue-specific manner to investigate differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in soybeans impacted by SGS and in those without SGS. A total of 1858 DEGs were identified in the pods, and 2814 DEGs were identified in the leaves. Further investigation revealed that SGS mainly affected the expression levels of key genes involved in the regulation of photosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, and plant hormone signal transduction. To support this finding, the chlorophyll content of the pods was to be found increased by 320% for chlorophyll a and 260% for chlorophyll b. In leaves, soluble sugar levels significantly increased, whereas phytohormones IAA and ABA decreased in SGS pods. DEGs were classified using gene ontology (GO) terms, and photosynthesis-related genes α-glucosidase, β-mannosidase, β-amylase 5 (GmBAM5), and starch synthase 2 (GmSS2) were up-regulated. This study demonstrates a molecular and physiological basis for SGS that merits further investigation to allow for SGS management.

Chinese cucumber, Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim, is a perennial liana plant belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family and is an important traditional medicine in Chinese herbalism. The root, fruit and ...