Advances in Biological Control of Plant Diseases: Current Status and Future Prospects

Abstract

Biological control of plant diseases has emerged as a central pillar of sustainable agriculture in response to the environmental, regulatory, and resistance-related limitations of chemical pesticides. Over the past four decades, advances in microbial ecology, molecular biology, genomics, and formulation technology have transformed biological control from an experimental concept into a viable component of integrated disease management systems. This review synthesises current knowledge on the mechanisms, technologies, applications, and constraints of biological control of plant diseases. Beneficial microorganisms—including bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and viruses—are now widely used to suppress soilborne, foliar, and post-harvest pathogens through mechanisms such as antibiosis, competition, mycoparasitism, induced systemic resistance, and microbiome modulation. Recent innovations, including genome-informed strain selection, synthetic microbial consortia, RNA-based biopesticides, and precision delivery systems, have enhanced the consistency and efficacy of biological control agents (BCAs). Despite significant progress, challenges remain, including variable field performance, formulation stability, regulatory complexity, and limited farmer adoption in some regions. Prospects lie in integrating multi-omics tools, artificial intelligence-driven strain discovery, climate-resilient biocontrol strategies, and policy frameworks that encourage commercialisation and adoption. The study explores emerging directions that may redefine plant disease management in the coming decades. The study concludes that its continued advancement and integration into holistic crop management strategies will play a decisive role in shaping resilient and environmentally responsible agricultural systems in the future. Moreover, supportive policy frameworks, sustainability incentives, and carbon-credit initiatives may accelerate adoption by aligning biological control with broader environmental goals.