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Bacillus-Based Bioinoculants as Dual Biocontrol Agents Against Fungal Pathogens and Insect Pests: Insights for Fusarium poae and Agriotes lineatus
Jevđenović, Galina
Buntić, Aneta
Pavlović, Jelena
Maksimović, Jelena
Jovković, Marina
Dervišević Milenković, Marina
Knežević, Magdalena
Abstract: Fungal pathogens and insect pests are among the most persistent threats to crop productivity worldwide. Acting simultaneously or sequentially, they compromise seedling establishment, reduce yield, and lower grain quality, while also threatening long-term soil fertility. Conventional management relies on separate fungicide and insecticide treatments, a strategy that is costly, environmentally unsustainable, and increasingly ineffective due to the emergence of resistant populations. These challenges highlight the urgent need for integrated solutions capable of addressing multiple stress factors within the same system. Among the most promising candidates are bioinoculants based on Bacillus spp., which possess remarkable metabolic and ecological versatility. Through the secretion of specific lipopeptides and hydrolytic enzymes, Bacillus strains suppress fungal growth, inhibit spore germination, and activate systemic plant defenses. At the same time, their entomopathogenic potential is reflected in the ability to colonize the rhizosphere, compete for resources, and release bioactive compounds that deter feeding or reduce insect survival. The capacity to combine antifungal and insect- suppressive activities within a single microbial agent represents a novel paradigm in biological control, offering the possibility of simplifying pest management while enhancing soil and plant health. Despite this potential, research has largely concentrated on well-characterized fungi such as Fusarium graminearum or insect models like lepidopteran larvae. In contrast, the cereal pathogen Fusarium poae and the soil-dwelling wireworm Agriotes lineatus remain severely underexplored, even though they cause significant economic damage through yield losses, seedling destruction, and contamination with harmful mycotoxins. Insights gained from studies on related Fusarium species and other insect pests, however, provide a valuable foundation for identifying selection criteria and functional traits in Bacillus strains with dual biocontrol potential against these overlooked threats. This review therefore situates dual biocontrol within a broader agricultural context while drawing attention to specific knowledge gaps that hinder the development of integrated microbial solutions. By synthesizing existing findings and projecting their implications for underrepresented targets such as F. poae and A. lineatus, the study highlights an innovative approach to crop protection. Ultimately, Bacillus-based bioinoculants exemplify the next generation of sustainable tools that can reduce chemical dependence, support integrated pest management, and contribute to resilient cereal production systems.
engleski
2025
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dual biocontrol, Bacillus spp., fungal pathogens, insect pests, Fusarium poae, Agriotes lineatus, integrated pest management, sustainable agriculture.