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Author Spotlight: Discovering New Biopesticides from Bioactive Soil Microbe-Derived Natural Products
Published on: July 26, 2024
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Licensed to protect: microbial biocontrol challenges and opportunities
Céline De Pessemier1, Michiel Vandecasteele1, Kelly Hamonts2
1Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent 9052, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent 9052, Belgium.
Trends in Plant Science
|April 21, 2026
Summary
Microbial biocontrol agents (MBCAs) provide eco-friendly pest control, but few reach the market. This review analyzes commercial MBCAs, highlighting common microbes and crop types, and suggests strategies for better integration.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Microbial biocontrol agents (MBCAs) present a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides.
- Commercialization of MBCAs faces significant challenges despite extensive research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To catalog commercially available MBCAs.
- To analyze their modes of action, target pathogens, and application contexts.
- To identify barriers and propose strategies for improved market integration.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and analysis of commercially available MBCAs.
- Categorization based on microbial genera (e.g., Bacillus, Trichoderma, Pseudomonas).
- Examination of application scope, focusing on crop types and targeted pathogens.
Main Results:
- Most commercial MBCAs utilize Bacillus, Trichoderma, and Pseudomonas strains.
- A significant bias exists towards high-value crops over staple crops like cereals.
- Limited market representation for MBCAs targeting cereal pathogens.
Conclusions:
- Current commercial MBCAs are dominated by specific microbial genera and target high-value crops.
- Strategies are needed to broaden the application of MBCAs to staple crops.
- Overcoming development and market integration barriers is crucial for sustainable agriculture.
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