Volume 8 Number 1 2025
The Beneficial Microorganisms for Sustainable Plant Disease Management: A Systematic Review
El-Sayed Abdel-Malek El-Sheikh 1*, Nadia Mohamed Mohamed Shahein 2
Microbial Bioactives 8 (1) 1-8 https://doi.org/10.25163/microbbioacts.8110412
Submitted: 03 February 2025 Revised: 09 April 2025 Accepted: 16 April 2025 Published: 18 April 2025
Abstract
As the environmental and health costs of chemical pesticides continue to rise, agriculture stands at a crossroads—seeking solutions that protect crops without harming the planet. In this context, beneficial microorganisms have emerged as nature’s quiet allies, offering an ecologically balanced path to plant disease management. This systematic review brings together recent research from laboratory experiments, greenhouse trials, and field applications to explore how beneficial bacteria and fungi suppress plant pathogens and enhance crop resilience. The evidence reveals that these microbes employ a remarkable array of strategies—from producing antimicrobial compounds and competing for nutrients to activating plants’ own immune defenses. In real-world settings, microbial inoculants have shown consistent benefits, improving soil health, reducing disease incidence, and stabilizing yields across diverse cropping systems. Yet, their success depends on multiple factors, including climate, soil conditions, and agricultural practices. The review also underscores the importance of understanding long-term ecological effects and ensuring that these innovations are accessible, affordable, and scalable for farmers worldwide. By connecting scientific insight with sustainable practice, this study highlights beneficial microorganisms not merely as tools of pest control, but as integral partners in building a resilient and sustainable agricultural future.
Keywords: Biological control, Plant pathogens, Beneficial microorganisms, Sustainable agriculture, Microbial inoculants.
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