Bioscience Methods 2026, Vol.17, No.1, 1-8 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 4 BL12 has demonstrated the ability to colonize the tuberosphere and rhizosphere soils, altering the soil bacterial community to suppress potato common scab (Li et al., 2021). The use of Fusarium oxysporum strain Fo47 as a soil treatment has also been explored, with successful re-isolation from inoculated plants in field trials, indicating its potential for large-scale application (Constantin et al., 2020). These examples highlight the importance of soil and seed treatments in establishing a protective microbial environment around potato plants. 4.2 Foliar application Foliar application involves spraying biocontrol agents directly onto the leaves of potato plants to combat foliar pathogens. This method is particularly effective against diseases such as early blight caused by Alternaria solani. Azospirillum lipoferum AL-3, when applied as a foliar spray, significantly reduced early blight severity and increased tuber yield by inducing systemic resistance in potato plants (Mehmood et al., 2021). The foliar application of Bacillus subtilis EG21 has also shown promise, with its metabolites exhibiting strong anti-oomycete and zoosporecidal effects against Phytophthora infestans, the causative agent of late blight (Alfiky et al., 2022). These findings suggest that foliar application of biocontrol agents can be an effective strategy for managing foliar diseases in potato cultivation. 4.3 Integration with other pest management practices Integrating biocontrol agents with other pest management practices is essential for achieving sustainable and effective pest control in potato cultivation. This integrated approach, known as Integrated Pest Management (IPM), combines biological, cultural, and chemical methods to manage pests and diseases. For example, combining biocontrol agents such as Pochonia chlamydosporia and Purpureocillium lilacinum with trap cropping using Solanum sisymbriifoliumhas shown promise in managing potato cyst nematodes (PCN) (Mhatre et al., 2022). The use of biocontrol agents like Bacillus subtilis EG21 in conjunction with other IPM strategies can enhance disease suppression and reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals. The integration of biocontrol agents with other pest management practices not only improves efficacy but also promotes environmental sustainability and reduces the risk of pathogen resistance. 5 Case Studies of Successful Biocontrol Implementation 5.1 Control of potato late blight (Phytophthora infestans) Potato late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, is a devastating disease affecting potato crops worldwide. Traditional management relies heavily on synthetic fungicides, which pose environmental and health risks. Biocontrol agents offer a promising alternative. For instance, Bacillus subtilis H17-16 has shown significant potential in inhibiting P. infestans by producing protease, volatile compounds, and forming biofilms, which enhance plant resistance and promote growth. Field applications of H17-16, especially when combined with chitosan or chemical fungicides, have effectively reduced late blight incidence (Zhang et al., 2023). Trichoderma spp. have demonstrated multifaceted biocontrol strategies, including direct mycoparasitism, competition for nutrients, and antibiosis, significantly inhibiting P. infestans both in vitro and in planta (Alfiky et al., 2023). Essential oils (EOs) have also been explored for their anti-oomycete activities, showing promise as sustainable biopesticides (Martini et al., 2023). These biocontrol agents, when integrated into pest management programs, can significantly reduce the reliance on chemical fungicides and enhance sustainable agriculture practices. 5.2 Management of Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) The Colorado potato beetle (CPB) is a major pest of potato crops, notorious for its resistance to multiple insecticides. Innovative biocontrol strategies are being developed to manage this pest. Ledprona, a sprayable double-stranded RNA biopesticide, targets the proteasome subunit beta type-5 in CPB, triggering the RNA interference pathway. Laboratory and greenhouse trials have shown that Ledprona can achieve up to 90% mortality in CPB larvae, demonstrating efficacy comparable to traditional insecticides like spinosad (Rodrigues et al., 2021; Dzedaev et al., 2023). Another approach involves the use of Bacillus subtilis 26DCryChS, which produces Cry1Ia toxin fromBacillus thuringiensis. A key advantage of Bacillus subtilis 26DCryChS is its ability to function as an endophytic bacterium, effectively colonizing the internal tissues of plants, particularly showing strong endophytic capabilities
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