Plant Pathogens Research Articles

Isolation and characterization of plant growth promoting actinobacteria, Amycolatopsis samaneae (AM75), from the rice rhizosphere in mirza area, Assam, India

This study aimed to isolate plant growth-promoting actinobacteria from the rhizosphere of rice. Rhizospheric soil samples were collected from the Aijung variety of rice in the Mirza area, Kamrup district, Assam, India. The isolate AM75 identified as Amycolatopsis samaneae, was characterized as gram-positive and non-motile. It exhibited varied colony characteristics on different selective media. The isolate produce several enzymes including urease, nitrate reductase, lipase, catalase, and amylase but did not demonstrate cellulase or gelatinase activity. Notably, isolate AM75 displayed various plant growth-promoting activities such as siderophore activity, hydrogen cyanide (HCN) production, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, and zinc solubilization. However, it did not produce hydrogen sulfide (H2S) or solubilize phosphate. The optimal growth conditions for AM75 were pH 7.2, 30ºC temperature, and NaCl 2.5% concentration. Additionally, AM75 exhibited inhibitory activity against the plant pathogens Erwinia chrysanthemi ATCC11660, Aspergillus niger ATCC6275, and Fusarium oxysporum ATCC62506. The isolate was resistant to standard antibiotics, including rifampcin, streptomycin, ampicillin, and nalidixic acid.

Silver Nanoparticles Produced Extracellularly by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Abstract Background: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is one of the most important fungal species capable of manufacturing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which are formed through the biosynthesis process extracellular from silver nitrate solution (AgNo3) to the culture medium using a fungal cell filter; this study aims to explore the biosynthesis of AgNPs using S. sclerotiorum. Materials and Methods: AgNPs were produced by adding AgNo3 to the culture and then incubating for 72 h at 37°C. The nanoparticles were formed inside the cytoplasm and on the outer surface of the S. sclerotiorum fungus. These molecules were characterized using ultraviolet radiation, and the highest absorbance of AgNPs for S. sclerotiorum fungus was measured at 450 nm. AgNPs were also characterized using infrared analysis (Fourier transform infrared) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) to determine the size and crystal structure of these molecules. Results: S. sclerotiorum is a well-known phytopathogenic fungus with significant potential beyond its role as a plant pathogen. Various isolates of this fungus have diverse applications in agriculture, biotechnology, and nanotechnology. Notably, these isolates have demonstrated potential in reducing silver ions (Ag+) to (AgNPs), highlighting their promise in nanoparticle synthesis. In addition, the intensity of the absorption peak associated with the nanoparticles was found to increase over time, further supporting their potential for research and application. Conclusion: AgNPs produced by S. sclerotiorum is predominantly spherical, ranging from 5 to 50 nm, and are stabilized by a capping agent. These nanoparticles, found mainly on the fungal cell walls, likely result from fungal enzyme activity. Their antifungal properties are due to their interference with microbial DNA and disruption of metabolic processes, highlighting their potential as effective antifungal agents.

Pathogens threatening agriculture and biodiversity in South Africa: A horizon scanning approach

There is mounting evidence that invasive alien species (IAS) have adverse effects on plant health and the global economy, posing a significant threat to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Identifying and assessing emerging IAS, such as plant pathogens, is a proactive approach that might assist in prioritising potential pathogen threats before they become established or widespread, negatively affecting plant health, crop production, animal production, animal health by affecting pastures and food security in South Africa. We collected information from the CABI Invasive Species Compendium and Crop Protection Compendium on plant pathogens that are present in neighbouring countries and are likely to be introduced throughout the Republic of South Africa using an expert-elicitation horizon scanning study. Pathogens with the highest score were determined based on their strong capability on the chance of entry, establishment, economic impact, and biodiversity destruction. The current study revealed that only 17 pathogens (6 fungi, 7 viruses, 2 bacteria and 2 phytoplasma) had been prioritised due to their potential to enter the country and have been reported in the neighbouring countries. Maize lethal necrosis disease, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, Candidatus Phytoplasma palmae, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense tropical race 4, and Maize chlorotic mottle virus have the highest potential to enter and establish in the country. The most effective phytosanitary actions for the high scoring pathogen were to conduct surveillance for their potential presence in South Africa and risk analysis, especially for organisms recorded in neighbouring countries.

A flagella-dependent Burkholderia jumbo phage controls rice seedling rot and steers Burkholderia glumae toward reduced virulence in rice seedlings.

Bacteriophages (phages) are being investigated as potential biocontrol agents for the suppression of bacterial diseases in cultivated crops. Jumbo bacteriophages, which possess genomic DNA larger than 200 kbp, generally have a broader host range than other phages and therefore would be useful as biocontrol agents against a wide range of bacterial strains. Thus, the characterization of novel jumbo phages specific for agricultural pathogens would be of importance for the development of phage biocontrol strategies. Herein, we demonstrate that phage S13 requires Burkholderia glumae flagella for its attachment and infection and that loss of B. glumae flagella prevents S13 cellular lysis. As flagella is a known virulence factor, loss of flagella results in a surviving population of B. glumae with reduced virulence. Further experimentation demonstrates that phage S13 can protect rice plants from B. glumae-sponsored destruction in a rice seedling model of infection.IMPORTANCEBacterial plant pathogens threaten many major food crops and inflict large agricultural losses worldwide. B. glumae is a bacterial plant pathogen that causes diseases such as rot, wilt, and blight in several food major crops including rice, tomato, hot pepper, and eggplant. B. glumae infects rice during all developmental stages, causing diseases such as rice seedling rot and bacterial panicle blight (BPB). The B. glumae incidence of rice plant infection is predicted to increase with warming global temperatures, and several different control strategies targeting B. glumae are being explored. These include chemical and antibiotic soil amendment, microbiome manipulation, and the use of partially resistant rice cultivars. However, despite rice growth amelioration, the treatment options for B. glumae plant infections remain limited to cultural practices. Alternatively, phage biocontrol represents a promising new method for eliminating B. glumae from crop soils and improving rice yields.

Nanoparticles: a promising tool against environmental stress in plants

With a focus on plant tolerance to environmental challenges, nanotechnology has emerged as a potent instrument for assisting crops and boosting agricultural production in the face of a growing worldwide population. Nanoparticles (NPs) and plant systems may interact molecularly to change stress response, growth, and development. NPs may feed nutrients to plants, prevent plant diseases and pathogens, and detect and monitor trace components in soil by absorbing their signals. More excellent knowledge of the processes of NPs that help plants survive various stressors would aid in creating more long-term strategies to combat these challenges. Despite the many studies on NPs’ use in agriculture, we reviewed the various types of NPs and their anticipated molecular and metabolic effects upon entering plant cells. In addition, we discussed different applications of NPs against all environmental stresses. Lastly, we introduced agricultural NPs’ risks, difficulties, and prospects.

Screening a 681-membered yeast collection for the secretion of proteins with antifungal activity.

Fungal pathogens pose a threat to human health and food security. Few antifungals are available and resistance to all has been reported. Novel strategies to control plant and human pathogens as well as food spoilers are urgently required. Environmental yeasts provide a functionally diverse, yet underexploited potential for fungal control based on their natural competition via the secretion of proteins and other small molecules such as iron chelators, volatile organic compounds or biosurfactants. However, there is a lack of standardized workflows to systematically access application-relevant yeast-based compounds and understand their molecular functioning. Towards this goal, we developed a workflow to identify and characterize yeast isolates that are active against spoilage yeasts and relevant human and plant pathogens, herein focusing on discovering yeasts that secrete antifungal proteins. The workflow includes the classification of the secreted molecules and cross-comparison of their antifungal capacity using an independent synthetic calibrant. Our workflow delivered a collection of 681 yeasts of which 212 isolates (31%) displayed antagonism against at least one target strain. While 57.5% of the active yeasts showed iron-depended antagonism, likely due to pulcherrimin-like iron chelators, 31.7% secreted antifungal proteins. Those yeast candidates clustered within twelve OTUs, showed narrow and broad target spectra, and several showed a broad pH and temperature activity profile. Given the tools for yeast biotechnology and protein engineering available, our collection can serve as a rich starting point for genetic and molecular characterization of the various antifungal phenotypes, their mode of action and their future exploitation.

Characterization of the SWEET Gene Family in Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) and the Role of VcSWEET6 Related to Sugar Accumulation in Fruit Development

Sugars will eventually be exported transporters (SWEETs) are essential transmembrane proteins involved in plant growth, stress responses, and plant–pathogen interactions. Despite their importance, systematic studies on SWEETs in blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) are limited. Blueberries are recognized for their rapid growth and the significant impact of sugar content on fruit flavor, yet the role of the SWEET gene family in sugar accumulation during fruit development remains unclear. In this study, 23 SWEET genes were identified in blueberry, and their phylogenetic relationships, duplication events, gene structures, cis-regulatory elements, and expression profiles were systematically analyzed. The VcSWEET gene family was classified into four clades. Structural and motif analysis revealed conserved exon–intron organization within each clade. RT-qPCR analysis showed widespread expression of VcSWEETs across various tissues and developmental stages, correlating with promoter cis-elements. VcSWEET6a, in particular, was specifically expressed in fruit and showed reduced expression during fruit maturation. Subcellular localization indicated that VcSWEET6a is located in the endoplasmic reticulum. Functional assays in yeast confirmed its role in glucose and fructose uptake, with transport activity inhibited at higher sugar concentrations. Overexpression of VcSWEET6a in blueberries resulted in reduced sugar accumulation. These findings offer valuable insights into the role of VcSWEETs in blueberry sugar metabolism.

The Fusarium graminearum Effector Protease FgTPP1 Suppresses Immune Responses and Facilitates Fusarium Head Blight Disease.

Most plant pathogens secrete effector proteins to circumvent host immune responses, thereby promoting pathogen virulence. One such pathogen is the fungus Fusarium graminearum, which causes Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) disease on wheat and barley. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that F. graminearum expresses many candidate effector proteins during early phases of the infection process, some of which are annotated as proteases. However, the contributions of these proteases to virulence remains poorly defined. Here, we characterize a F. graminearum endopeptidase, FgTPP1 (FGSG_11164), that is highly upregulated during wheat spikelet infection and is secreted from fungal cells. To elucidate the potential role of FgTPP1 in F. graminearum virulence, we generated FgTPP1 deletion mutants (ΔFgtpp1) and performed FHB infection assays. Deletion of FgTPP1 reduced the virulence of F. graminearium as assessed by spikelet bleaching. Infection with wild-type F. graminearum induced full bleaching in about 50% of the spikes at 10-11 days post infection, while this fraction was reduced to between 18 and 27% when using ΔFgtpp1 mutants. Transient expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged FgTPP1 revealed that FgTPP1 localizes, in part, to chloroplasts and attenuates chitin-mediated activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, reactive oxygen species production, and cell death induced by an autoactive disease resistance protein when expressed in planta. Notably, the FgTPP1 protein is conserved across the Ascomycota phylum, suggesting it may be a core effector among ascomycete plant pathogens. These properties make FgTPP1 an ideal candidate for decoy substrate engineering, with the goal of engineering resistance to FHB.

Access to Chiral Bridged Biaryls via Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Asymmetric Addition of Alcohols to Fluoroalkylated Biaryl Oxazepines.

We disclose herein a chiral phosphoric-acid-catalyzed enantioselective addition reaction of alcohols to fluoroalkylated biaryl 1,3-oxoazepines, which furnished a wide range of bridged biaryls bearing a fluoroalkylated quaternary carbon stereocenter on the seven-membered ring in high yields (up to 99%) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee). Our method can be used for the modification of several natural products and bioactive molecules. Preliminary studies revealed that the products obtained in this reaction exhibit good in vitro bioactivities against two plant pathogens.

Identification and expression analysis of P-type ATPase IIIA subfamily in Puccinia Striiformis f. sp. tritici

BackgroundPuccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) causes wheat stripe (yellow) rust disease, which is one of the most destructive diseases affecting wheat worldwide. ATPases, a class of membrane proteins, play an important role in material exchange and signal transduction both within and outside biological cells by transporting ions and phospholipids. In plant pathogens, P-type ATPases primarily participate in pathogen development and virulence regulation. However, the P-type ATPase of subfamily IIIA (PMA) has not yet been identified in Pst. To investigate the potential functions of the PMA gene family in Pst, we conducted a genome-wide bioinformatics analysis and examined the expression profiles of the PMA gene family.ResultsSix PMA genes were identified in the genome of P. striiformis f. sp. tritici (CYR34 race). The PMA proteins encoded by these genes ranged in length from 811 to 960 amino acids (aa). Each of the six PMA genes contained a typical ATPase IIIA H superfamily domain and was distributed across four chromosomes. Thirty-six major cis-regulatory elements were detected within the PMA gene family members. Elements such as the CGTCA-motif and TGACG-motif play significant roles in responding to environmental stresses and hormone signals. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed that the expression of the PMA04 gene was generally higher at 9 °C under various temperature stresses. The PMA06 gene typically exhibited higher expression levels at 16 °C. During the infection of Pst, the expression levels of PMA04, PMA05, and PMA06 were elevated at 72 h post treatment.ConclusionsOur results indicate that the PMA gene family in the CYR34 strain comprises six PMA genes, which are crucial for managing temperature stress and pathogen infection, and exhibit a distinctive splicing pattern. This study not only identifies a target and direction for the development of new, efficient, and environmentally friendly control agents for wheat stripe rust but also establishes a foundation for analyzing its pathogenic mechanisms.

Advances in digital camera-based phenotyping of Botrytis disease development.

Botrytis cinerea is an important generalist fungal plant pathogen that causes great economic losses. Conventional detection methods to identify B. cinerea infections rely on visual assessments, which are error prone, subjective, labor intensive, hard to quantify, and unsuitable for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications. New, often camera-based, techniques provide objective digital data by remote and proximal sensing. We detail the B. cinerea infection process and link this with conventional and novel detection methods. We evaluate the effectiveness of current digital phenotyping methods to detect, quantify, and classify disease symptoms for disease management and breeding for resistance. Finally, we discuss the needs, prospects, and challenges of digital camera-based phenotyping.

Distribution of plant pathogenic Aphanomyces species in Sweden, Denmark and Lithuania and its relationship with soil factors

Abstract Three species of Aphanomyces, A. euteiches, A. cochlioides and A. cladogamus are devastating agricultural plant pathogens causing root rot disease on pea, sugar beet and spinach, respectively. Here we investigated the distribution of the three Aphanomyces species in parts of Sweden, Denmark and Lithuania using climate chamber soil bioassays, and tested for correlations with macronutrient levels in the soil. Aphanomyces euteiches was the most widespread pathogen found in 28% of the tested samples in Sweden and Denmark, while A. cochlioides had a more limited distribution, and was found in 22% of the samples. Aphanomyces cladogamus was only detected in Sweden and was present in 16% of the tested samples. Aphanomyces euteiches only infected pea plants, while A. cochlioides and A. cladogamus infected both sugar beet and spinach. There were significant (P < 0.001) differences in disease severity index (DSI) between regions, pathogens and for the interaction between regions and crops. Soil calcium (Ca) content ranged from 82 to 3600 mg/100 g dry soil. No species of Aphanomyces was detected in soils with Ca levels above 250 mg/100 g soil, indicating a pathogen-suppressive effect from calcium. Similar results were observed from 1350 soil samples collected from commercial pea growing fields, as DSI values on pea remained very low (below 20 on a 0–100 scale) in soil samples with confirmed presence of A. euteiches and a Ca value above 210 mg/100 g soil. High Ca levels was a significant (P < 0.05) predictor for low probability of presence of Aphanomyces spp. in soil.

Thymol as a Novel Plant-Derived Antibacterial Agent for Suppressing Xanthomonas citri pv. malvacearum in Cotton.

Xanthomonas citri pv. malvacearum (Xcm) associated with bacterial blight disease is a significant and widespread pathogen affecting cotton worldwide. The excessive use of harmful chemicals to control plant pathogens has exerted a negative impact on environmental safety. Thymol is a monoterpene phenol present in the essential oils of plants belonging to Lamiaceae family. In this study the antimicrobial activity of thymol was evaluated against Xcm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and 99.9% bactericidal concentration (MBC) of thymol against Xcm were 2 and 4mg/mL, respectively. The effect of MIC and MBC of thymol against Xcm was assessed on the Luria-Bertani medium. The effect of thymol on intercellular ATP levels, membrane potential, and motility in Xcm was assessed using fluorescence spectrometry for membrane potential and firefly luciferase-based assay for ATP levels. Thymol ruptured the cellular membrane of Xcm, resulting in decreased intracellular ATP concentrations, intracellular leakage of genetic material, and changes in membrane potential. Scanning electron microscopy images supported the impact of thymol on the cell membrane of Xcm. Moreover, thymol inhibited the swimming motility and biofilm formation of Xcm at concentrations equal to or above the MIC and MBC. In contrast, sub-MIC concentrations of thymol had little to no impact on the virulence of Xcm. In conclusion, thymol demonstrated the potential as a strong bactericidal compound against Xcm.

Three new species of Apiospora (Amphisphaeriales, Apiosporaceae) in China.

China is located in eastern Asia and has a large quantity and rich variety of bamboo resources. Bamboo resources also contain various fungal species such as Apiospora. The genus Apiospora is commonly used as plant pathogens, endophytes, and saprophytes, which are widely present in various host ranges around the world. The discovery of metabolites has been proven to play an important role in the pharmaceutical industry. Recently, 10 strains were isolated from bamboo in Guizhou Province, China, which were identified as five species of Apiospora based on multigene phylogenetic analysis of ITS, LSU, TEF1-α, and TUB2, and morphological observations, including two recognized species, Ap.arundinis and Ap.lophatheri, and three novel species, viz. Ap.bambusicaulis, Ap.bambusirimae, and Ap.bambusilentiginis. Illustrations and descriptions of these taxa are provided.

Molecular Characterization of Yellow Mosaic Disease Causing Begomoviruses in Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) from Three Agro-ecological Zones of India.

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) plants exhibiting symptoms of yellow mosaic disease (YMD) were collected in winter 2023 from multiple agricultural fields of Kanpur, Sehore, and Madhubani, representing three different agro-ecological zones in India. The recorded disease incidence ranged from 3 to 5%, 1 to 4%, and 12 to 20% in these zones, respectively. This study aimed to identify and characterize the causal agent, suspected to be a begomovirus, an emerging plant pathogen of pigeonpea causing YMD. Total DNA was extracted from 28 YMD-affected leaf samples and subjected to rolling circle amplification for PCR-based virus detection. Of all the tested samples, one tested positive for mungbean yellow mosaic virus (MYMV), while the remaining tested positive for mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV). Subsequently, PCR-based amplification and sequencing of the full-length DNA-A and DNA-B components were conducted. BLASTn analysis revealed that the assembled sequences of the DNA-A and DNA-B components had the highest nucleotide identity with MYMIV (DNA-A: 97-99%, DNA-B: 95-97%) and MYMV (DNA-A: 99%, DNA-B: 98%). Phylogenetic analysis supported these findings. Additionally, the DNA-A and DNA-B components obtained from each sample were found to be cognate, with over 92% similarity in their common region. Thus, the cognate DNA components constituted the isolates of MYMIV and MYMV identified from pigeonpea. The identified isolates exhibited the typical genome organization of an Old World bipartite begomovirus, with no recombination events detected. This study reports, for the first time, the complete annotated genomes of MYMIV from Sehore and Madhubani, as well as MYMIV and MYMV from Kanpur, infecting pigeonpea.

How urban proximity shapes agricultural pest dynamics: a review.

Agricultural landscapes adjacent to human settlements are subject to unique ecological dynamics that influence pest populations, yet the complexity of these relationships remains relatively underexplored. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the impacts of urban proximity on agricultural plant pathogen pest dynamics, focusing on spatial distribution patterns, theoretical frameworks from landscape ecology, and the specific mechanisms driving these interactions. The urban heat island effect, habitat fragmentation, and human activities contribute to altered microclimates, reduced natural predator populations, and increased pest proliferation near settlements. Additionally, regulatory constraints on pest control near human communities further complicate management efforts. The role of urban environments as potential sources of agricultural pests is analyzed through empirical case studies, highlighting both predictable patterns and varying outcomes depending on specific local conditions. Gaps in understanding the movement of pests across urban-agricultural boundaries are discussed, alongside recommendations for future research aimed at enhancing pest control strategies in these complex landscapes. © 2025 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Development of qPCR methods to detect and quantify the novel Fusarium graminearum 3ANX chemotype variant.

The devastating plant pathogen Fusarium graminearum produces mycotoxins including the novel 3ANX toxin. To detect 3ANX-producing isolates, SYBR Green and locked nucleic acid probe assays were developed, targeting 3ANX Tri1 polymorphisms. Assays were efficient with R2 > 0.99 and specific to 3ANX, detecting as few as 2 copies/μL.

Genome Sequence Resource of Neopestalotiopsis cubana, a Pathogen to Guava

The pestalotiopsis-like taxa, inclusive of Pseudopestalotiopsis, Pestalotiopsis, and Neopestalotiopsis, constitute a well-recognized fungal family. Recently, species within the Neopestalotiopsis genus have been identified as plant pathogens affecting crops and fruits. However, there is currently a paucity of reference genome data for Neopestalotiopsis cubana in germplasm resource evaluation research. In this study, we present a chromosome-level reference genome of N. cubana, constructed using DNBSEQ platform and PacBio RS II platform. The assembled genome spans a total length of 50,399,148 bp, with a GC content of 50.17%. Furthermore, the reference genome contains annotations for a total of 15,709 protein-coding genes and 657 non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). The availability of this genome sequence data enhances our understanding of the lifestyle strategy and pathogenesis of Neopestalotiopsis species. Our study significantly contributes to the species richness of Neopestalotiopsis spp. and provides a foundation for future research.

The Combination of α-Fe2O3 NP and Trichoderma sp. Improves Antifungal Activity Against Fusarium Wilt.

Soil-borne plant pathogens are the most damaging pathogens responsible for severe crop damage. A conventional chemotherapy approach to these pathogens has numerous environmental issues, while biological control agents (BCAs) are less promising under field conditions. There is an immediate need to develop an integrated strategy for utilizing nanoparticles and biocontrol to manage soil-borne pathogens, such as Fusarium wilt, effectively. Simulation of BCA metabolites to nanoparticle biocontrol metabolites is considered the most effective biocontrol approach. Combining Fe2O3 nanoparticles and Trichoderma in nursery and field conditions manages pathogens and increases plant growth characteristics. The present study evaluated the commercial biocontrol strains and the use of NPFe in combination with Trichoderma harzianum to enhance the biocontrol potential of T. harzianum against soil-borne pathogens. The effectiveness of (NPFe + T. harzianum) was evaluated under in vitro conditions where combination was found most effective upto (87.63%) mycelial growth inhibition of pathogen and under field conditions lowest pooled Fusarium wilt incidence (19.54%) was recorded. Nanocomposites are beneficial for agricultural sustainability and environmental safety by upregulating the expression of genes linked to these processes, Fe NPs can activate plant defense mechanisms and increase plant resistance to pathogenic invasions. Additionally, as iron is a necessary component for plant growth and development, Fe NPs promote better nutrient uptake.

Groundbreaking Technologies and the Biocontrol of Fungal Vascular Plant Pathogens.

This review delves into innovative technologies to improve the control of vascular fungal plant pathogens. It also briefly summarizes traditional biocontrol approaches to manage them, addressing their limitations and emphasizing the need to develop more sustainable and precise solutions. Powerful tools such as next-generation sequencing, meta-omics, and microbiome engineering allow for the targeted manipulation of microbial communities to enhance pathogen suppression. Microbiome-based approaches include the design of synthetic microbial consortia and the transplant of entire or customized soil/plant microbiomes, potentially offering more resilient and adaptable biocontrol strategies. Nanotechnology has also advanced significantly, providing methods for the targeted delivery of biological control agents (BCAs) or compounds derived from them through different nanoparticles (NPs), including bacteriogenic, mycogenic, phytogenic, phycogenic, and debris-derived ones acting as carriers. The use of biodegradable polymeric and non-polymeric eco-friendly NPs, which enable the controlled release of antifungal agents while minimizing environmental impact, is also explored. Furthermore, artificial intelligence and machine learning can revolutionize crop protection through early disease detection, the prediction of disease outbreaks, and precision in BCA treatments. Other technologies such as genome editing, RNA interference (RNAi), and functional peptides can enhance BCA efficacy against pathogenic fungi. Altogether, these technologies provide a comprehensive framework for sustainable and precise management of fungal vascular diseases, redefining pathogen biocontrol in modern agriculture.