Biocontrol potential of fungal endophytes for pests management in cereals

Abstract

ABSTRACT Cereal production is vital for food security and economic growth, but insect infestations can significantly reduce crop yields and quality, leading to substantial economic losses. Recent pest management strategies in cereal crops have incorporated innovative techniques, such as utilizing mutualistic plant-microbe interactions that trigger molecular defense mechanisms against pests. Entomopathogenic fungi, particularly Beauveria and Metarhizium (Hypocreales), are naturally found in soil and can infect a wide range of arthropod pests. These fungi can also colonize plants as rhizosphere inhabitants and endophytes, offering multiple benefits, including enhanced growth and pest resistance. As endophytes, these fungi promote plant biomass growth and reduce herbivore development, food consumption, oviposition, and survival in the field. Species like Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae have shown potential in controlling both chewing and sap-sucking pests in major cereals such as wheat, rice, maize, and sorghum. However, the exact mechanisms through which these fungi control pests as endophytes are not yet fully understood. This review summarizes the biological mechanisms of entomopathogenic fungi-plant interactions and their role in pest control, exploring how these fungi could be integrated into pest management strategies and discussing challenges in their application. Future research should focus on understanding the adaptive mechanisms that enable fungi to function as endophytic entomopathogenic fungi and how plant genetics influence these interactions to improve pest suppression. By uncovering these mechanisms, we can enhance the effectiveness of fungi-based pest control, contributing to more sustainable pest management in cereal crops.