TL;DR
The dual application of microalgae for carbon sequestration and wastewater treatment is emphasized, along with their ability to enrich soil, which aligns with the objectives of closed-loop systems and circular agriculture.
Postharvest losses of horticultural produce, primarily due to microbial decay, remain a major challenge to global food security, accounting for 35–50% of production annually. To control this, overuse of synthetic fungicides has led to pathogen resistance, environmental contamination, and health concerns, prompting a shift toward sustainable biocontrol agents (BCAs). This review comprehensively examines the potential of microbial antagonists (yeasts, bacteria, and fungi), plant-based agents (essential oils and extracts), and natural compounds (e.g., chitosan, alginate, organic acids, etc.) for managing postharvest diseases in fruits and vegetables. Key mechanisms of action including competition for nutrients and space, production of antifungal metabolites and enzymes, biofilm formation, induction of host resistance, and volatile organic compounds are discussed in detail. Application strategies (pre- and postharvest), synergistic integrations with physical/chemical treatments, advantages over conventional pesticides, and major challenges (e.g., formulation stability, regulatory hurdles, and commercialization) are critically analyzed. Emerging approaches such as omics technologies, microbial consortia, genetic engineering, and nanotechnology offer promising avenues to enhance BCA efficacy and consistency. This review highlights successful examples and future perspectives of BCAs in postharvest diseases control setup and more importantly their co-applications together with other natural disease control methods and technologies. Finally, it underscores BCAs as viable, eco-friendly alternatives that can extend shelf life, preserve quality, and support sustainable postharvest management.
Overall, this review presents the versatile function of Trichoderma spp.
The widespread use of synthetic pesticides in contemporary pest management has been a double-edged sword, while they initially providing effective control of pest populations, their extensive use has ultimately contributed to the emergence of pesticide-resistant pests, accelerating biodiversity loss and environmental polluting by hazardous chemicals. As a result, the development of sustainable alternatives for pest control, including entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) and botanical-derived insecticidal agents, is emerging. Despite their potential, critical limitations inherent to EPF include a slow rate of action and acute sensitivity to abiotic factors, which necessitate synergistic integration with rapid-action botanicals. This paper aims to review combinatorial strategies, that leverage independent yet complementary modes of action, not only preventing the evolution of resistance but also increasing mortality, yielding significantly lower median lethal concentration (LC50) and median lethal time (LT50) values than those obtained with single agent treatments. The reduced doses required for both components improve their suitability for organic agriculture and integrated pest management (IPM) programmes, where minimising pesticide residues is a priority. This review synthesises the current literature and incorporates meta-analysis to discuss how botanicals enhance EPF performance by interfering with insect cuticular defences, altering cuticular permeability, modulating host behaviour and providing protection against ultraviolet radiation and temperature stress. We identified the key issues and areas for improvement in these integration strategies and proposed future directions focusing on compatibility optimisation, advanced formulations and predictive models for sustainable pest management.
The increasing demand for sustainable and environmentally responsible agricultural practices has accelerated the search for alternatives to chemical fertilizers. Microbial biofertilizers, particularly plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), offer a promising strategy to enhance crop productivity while maintaining soil health. Among these, Bacillus species have gained significant attention due to their ecological versatility and functional diversity. This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of the biofertilization potential of Bacillus spp. in sustainable agriculture. Prominent species such as Bacillus subtilis, B. megaterium, and B. amyloliquefaciens contribute to improved nutrient acquisition through nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and potassium mobilization. In addition, Bacillus spp. produce phytohormones, siderophores, and volatile organic compounds that stimulate plant growth and enhance tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Their endospore-forming ability ensures high survival, prolonged shelf life, and reliable performance under diverse field conditions, supporting their commercial application as biofertilizers. This review also discusses interactions between Bacillus spp. and native soil microbiota, their influence on rhizosphere dynamics, and their role in improving soil fertility and crop productivity. However, inconsistent field performance, formulation challenges, and regulatory constraints remain key barriers to large-scale adoption. Recent advances in genomics, strain improvement, and formulation technologies present new opportunities to enhance the efficacy of Bacillus-based biofertilizers. Integrative approaches combining microbiology, agronomy, and policy frameworks are essential to realize their full potential in sustainable agricultural systems and global food security.
The growing pressure exerted by global food demand, combined with the excessive use of chemical and synthetic inputs, is prompting the agricultural sector to seek innovative and sustainable solutions to improve, or at least maintain, crop yields in a context of increased abiotic stress linked to climate change. Among the promising approaches, biostimulants are attracting growing interest, particularly those derived from natural sources such as seaweed extracts, humic acids, and beneficial microorganisms. These products work through various mechanisms, including osmotic regulation, activation of antioxidant systems, stimulation of root growth, and improvement of nutrient absorption. Many recent research and review articles have explored the optimal combinations of raw materials, formulation processes, target crops, and environmental conditions to maximize beneficial effects on plant growth, soil health, and tolerance to abiotic stresses. As a result, a growing range of commercial products is emerging, with diverse chemical compositions, formulations, and modes of application. However, the precise relationships between the biochemical composition of biostimulants and their physiological effects remain poorly understood, suggesting a key role for molecular synergies. This review provides a concise overview of recent advances in biostimulant research and their potential to enhance food security by improving crop resilience in the context of climate change.