Ecological Dynamics and Microbial Treatments against Oomycete Plant Pathogens

Abstract

In this review, we explore how ecological concepts may help assist with applying microbial biocontrol agents to oomycete pathogens. Oomycetes cause a variety of agricultural diseases, including potato late blight, apple replant diseases, and downy mildew of grapevine, which also can lead to significant economic damage in their respective crops. The use of microbial biocontrol agents is increasingly gaining interest due to pressure from governments and society to reduce chemical plant protection products. The success of a biocontrol agent is dependent on many ecological processes, including the establishment on the host, persistence in the environment, and expression of traits that may be dependent on the microbiome. This review examines recent literature and trends in research that incorporate ecological aspects, especially microbiome, host, and environmental interactions, into biological control development and applications. We explore ecological factors that may influence microbial biocontrol agents’ efficacy and discuss key research avenues forward.

Discovery of Novel Oxathiapiprolin Derivatives as Potent Fungicide Candidates

“…1 Approximately 60% of the known species of oomycetes are plant pathogens, posing a substantial threat to global food security by infecting staple calorie crops and economically important commodity crops. 2,3 These pathogens lead to a variety of common plant diseases, including potato late blight (PLB) caused by Phytophthora infestans (P. infestans), cucumber downy mildew (CDM) caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis (P. cubensis), damping off and root rot caused by Pythium spp. These diseases could drastically reduce agricultural output.…”

“…These diseases could drastically reduce agricultural output. 3,4 For example, the Irish potato famine, caused by the pandemic PLB, led to the deaths of approximately one million people and the displacement of millions because of starvation. 5 P. cubensis is an obligate biotroph that infects more than 50 cucurbitaceous plants.…”

“…Oomycetes are a significant class of pathogens responsible for numerous serious plant diseases . Approximately 60% of the known species of oomycetes are plant pathogens, posing a substantial threat to global food security by infecting staple calorie crops and economically important commodity crops. , These pathogens lead to a variety of common plant diseases, including potato late blight (PLB) caused by Phytophthora infestans (P. infestans), cucumber downy mildew (CDM) caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis (P.…”

“…cubensis), damping off and root rot caused by Pythium spp. These diseases could drastically reduce agricultural output. , For example, the Irish potato famine, caused by the pandemic PLB, led to the deaths of approximately one million people and the displacement of millions because of starvation P.…”