Research Progress on Phytopathogenic Fungi and Their Role as Biocontrol Agents

Abstract

Phytopathogenic fungi decrease crop yield and quality and cause huge losses in agricultural production. To prevent the occurrence of crop diseases and insect pests, farmers have to use many synthetic chemical pesticides. The extensive use of these pesticides has resulted in a series of environmental and ecological problems, such as the increase in resistant weed populations, soil compaction, and water pollution, which seriously affect the sustainable development of agriculture. This review discusses the main advances in research on plant-pathogenic fungi in terms of their pathogenic factors such as cell wall-degrading enzymes, toxins, growth regulators, effector proteins, and fungal viruses, as well as their application as biocontrol agents for plant pests, diseases, and weeds. Finally, further studies on plant-pathogenic fungal resources with better biocontrol effects can help find new beneficial microbial resources that can control diseases.

Inhibitory Potential of New Phenolic Hydrazide-Hydrazones with a Decoy Substrate Fragment towards Laccase from a Phytopathogenic Fungus: SAR and Molecular Docking Studies

“…Methanol (CH3OH) was distilled prior to reactions from Mg element shavings in the presence of I2. The following substrates such as 3-phenylsalicylicaldehyde (6), 3-tert-butyl-5-methylsalicylic aldehyde (8), 4-methoxybenzoic acid hydrazide (15), 3-hydroxybenzoic acid hydrazide (18), and reference hydrazide-hydrazones 4-hydroxy-N'-[(E)-3-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzylidene]benzohydrazide (20), 4-hydroxy-N'-[(E)-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)methylidene]benzohydrazide (21), 3-hydroxy-N'-[(E)-(3-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)methylidene]benzohydrazide (22), and 4-methoxy-N'-[(E)-2hydroxy-3-phenylbenzylidene]benzohydrazide (23) were synthesized and characterized in our previous work [31]. Analytical TLC was performed on PET foils precoated with silica gel (silica gel, 60 F254, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany), and were made visual under This leads to the conclusion, the compound to inhibit laccase competitively must interact with amino acids from the depths and bottom of the active center, such as Asp206, Asn264, Leu 164, or Phe265.…”

“…It catalyzes lignin decomposition and neutralization of the auxins and phytoalexins, a primary barrier against pathogen attack. Such an infection strategy contributes to white-root of wood, crop, and ornamental plants diseases resulting in an enormous ecological and economic loss in forestry and agriculture [22,23].…”

Biogenesis, Trafficking, and Function of Small RNAs in Plants

“…Excessive use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers has already caused dramatic damages to the ecological environment, yet some pests and plant diseases are still not completely controlled and prevented. Thus, extensive attentions have recently been paid on biological control approaches ( Ma et al, 2021 ; Peng et al, 2021 ). Biological control approaches are highly effective to prevent plant diseases and increase the crop yields.…”

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Properties of Lichen Substances against Plant Pathogens

“…Synthetic chemical pesticides have been used to prevent and minimize the occurrence of plant diseases caused by bacteria, fungi and insects. However, extensive use of synthetic chemical pesticides poses environmental and ecological threats, including increased pathogen populations resistant to pesticides, soil compaction, and environmental pollution ( Peng et al, 2021 ). Therefore, there have been extensive efforts to search for environmentally-friendly, effective, and novel antimicrobial compounds derived from nature ( Atanasov et al, 2021 ).…”