Phytopathogenic micromycetes - a review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18832/Keywords:
Fusarium, Alternaria, mycotoxins, fungicides, plant extracts, essential oilsAbstract
This review addresses the growing challenge of phytopathogenic fungi in agricultural systems and explores sustainable alternatives to conventional fungicide-based control strategies. Filamentous fungi, particularly species of the genera Alternaria and Fusarium, are among the most destructive plant pathogens, causing substantial yield losses, reduced crop quality, and contamination of food and feed with hazardous mycotoxins. These toxins pose significant health risks to humans and animals and represent a major concern for food safety worldwide. Although synthetic fungicides remain the primary tool for managing fungal diseases, their intensive and long-term use has led to several adverse consequences, including environmental contamination, disruption of soil ecosystems, and the emergence of fungicide-resistant pathogen populations. Additionally, fungicide residues in agricultural products raise concerns regarding consumer health and occupational exposure, while their economic cost represents a considerable burden for producers. In response to these limitations, increasing attention has been directed toward alternative, environmentally friendly control strategies. Biofungicides, including plant-derived compounds—particularly essential oils and phenolic-rich extracts—have demonstrated significant antifungal activity. These natural substances often exhibit multi-target modes of action, including disruption of cell membranes, inhibition of cell wall synthesis, and induction of oxidative stress in fungal cells, which may reduce the risk of resistance development. Despite promising results, challenges remain in the large-scale application of these alternatives, including variability in efficacy, stability, and standardization. Overall, plant-based and biological approaches represent promising components of integrated and sustainable plant disease management strategies.
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