Rhizobacteria as Biofungicides: Mechanisms and Applications

Abstract

Plant pathogenic fungi are a major cause of agricultural losses worldwide, stressing the need to transition toward biologically derived fungicide alternatives that pose less risk to environmental and human health. Rhizobacteria are beneficial root-associated microbes with strong biocontrol capacity, acting against fungal pathogens via competition, antibiosis, parasitism, and triggering systemic resistance in plants. This review consolidates current insights into the mechanisms underlying rhizobacterial biofungicides and explores their practical applications in crop protection. It discusses notable successes in field trials, key obstacles to commercialisation, and emerging strategies such as genetic engineering and nano-formulation technologies to enhance efficacy and scalability.