Bioscience Methods 2026, Vol.17, No.1, 1-8 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 1 Case Study Open Access Biocontrol Agents for Managing Potato Pests and Diseases Hangshun Dong Dongyang Crop Production Technology Extension Center (Plant Protection and Quarantine Station), Dongyang, 322100, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: 805026882@qq.com Bioscience Methods, 2026, Vol.17, No.1 doi: 10.5376/bm.2026.17.0001 Received: 21 Dec., 2025 Accepted: 07 Jan., 2026 Published: 14 Jan., 2026 Copyright © 2026 Dong, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Dong H.S., 2026, Biocontrol agents for managing potato pests and diseases, Bioscience Methods, 17(1): 1-8 (doi: 10.5376/bm.2026.17.0001) Abstract Potato cultivation faces significant challenges from various pests and diseases, including insect infestations, fungal infections, and viral diseases, which can severely impact yield and crop quality. This study provides a systematic review of the application of biological control agents (BCAs) as sustainable alternatives to chemical pesticides in managing potato pests and diseases. It outlines the types of microbial control agents (such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses), natural predators and parasitoids, with a focus on their mechanisms of action, including antagonism, induction of systemic resistance, and competitive exclusion. The study also evaluates the effectiveness of integrating BCAs into integrated pest management (IPM) programs through field trials and case studies. The research highlights the importance of biological control agents in promoting sustainable potato cultivation and provides practical recommendations to enhance crop resilience and reduce dependence on chemical pesticides. Keywords Biocontrol agents; Potato pests and diseases; Integrated pest management (IPM); Antibiosis; Sustainable agriculture 1 Introduction Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a staple crop worldwide, but its production is significantly hampered by various pests and diseases. Among the most notorious pathogens are Phytophthora infestans, causing late blight, and Rhizoctonia solani, responsible for black scurf and stem canker (Wang and Long, 2023). Other significant pathogens include Streptomyces scabies, which causes common scab, and Fusarium species, which lead to dry rot (Steglińska et al., 2022). These diseases not only reduce yield but also affect the quality of the tubers, leading to substantial economic losses. The conventional approach to managing potato pests and diseases has heavily relied on synthetic chemical pesticides and fungicides. While effective, these chemicals pose several challenges. They can lead to the development of resistant pathogen strains, negatively impact human health, and cause environmental degradation. Moreover, the stringent regulations and removal of various fungicides from the market further complicate disease management (Gush et al., 2023). The over-reliance on chemical control methods is increasingly seen as unsustainable, necessitating the exploration of alternative strategies (Cray et al., 2016; Feng et al., 2021). Biocontrol agents (BCAs) offer a promising alternative to synthetic chemicals, aligning with the principles of sustainable agriculture. These agents, including bacteria, fungi, and their metabolites, can effectively suppress potato pathogens through various mechanisms such as competition, antibiosis, and induction of plant resistance. For instance, Bacillus subtilis EG21 has shown antagonistic potential against P. infestans and R. solani, while Bacillus velezensis K-9 has been effective against Streptomyces scabies (Ma et al., 2023). Pseudomonas fluorescens LBUM223 has demonstrated efficacy in controlling common scab through the production of phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (Arseneault et al., 2016). The integration of BCAs into pest management strategies not only reduces the dependency on harmful chemicals but also promotes environmental health and sustainability. This study aims to explore the potential of biocontrol agents (BCAs) in managing potato pests and diseases, focusing on their mechanisms of action, efficacy, and practical applications. It seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of how BCAs can be integrated into sustainable potato cultivation practices, including evaluating the effectiveness of various biocontrol agents and examining their interactions with pathogens to ensure the long-term viability of potato production.
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