Molecular Microbiology Research 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 92-98 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mmr 97 6 Summary and Outlook The utilization of entomopathogenic fungi, such as Metarhizium anisopliae, has been shown to effectively suppress populations of rice planthoppers, a major pest in rice cultivation, without adversely affecting the rice microbiota. These fungi have demonstrated control efficiencies comparable to chemical treatments and have been observed to persist on rice plants for approximately two weeks post-application. The microbial communities within the rice phyllosphere appear to adapt to the application of these fungal biocontrol agents, maintaining their richness and diversity. This suggests that entomopathogenic fungi offer a promising alternative to chemical pesticides, with the added benefit of being environmentally benign. Biological control methods, such as the application of entomopathogenic fungi, are gaining traction as essential components of sustainable agriculture. They play a significant role in reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides, which are known to have negative impacts on human health, beneficial organisms, and the environment. The integration of these fungi into pest management strategies aligns with the global drive towards more sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices. Furthermore, these fungi not only control pests but also offer additional benefits such as plant growth promotion and antagonism against plant pathogens, thereby contributing to the overall health and productivity of crops. The potential for genetic enhancement of entomopathogenic fungi is a promising avenue for increasing their efficacy and resilience. Advances in genomics and molecular biology have provided insights into the genes that contribute to fungal virulence and host interactions, paving the way for the development of genetically improved strains. Additionally, integrating these fungi with other pest control methods could lead to synergistic effects, enhancing their effectiveness and sustainability as biocontrol agents. Research into the endophytic capabilities of these fungi suggests they could be used for dual biological control of both insect pests and plant pathogens, offering a multifaceted approach to crop protection. As the understanding of the complex interactions between entomopathogenic fungi, plants, and pests deepens, the potential for these organisms to revolutionize integrated pest management and contribute to sustainable agriculture becomes increasingly apparent. Acknowledgments I would like to express my gratitude to the two anonymous peer reviewers for their suggestions on this manuscript. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The author affirms that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Afandhi A., Pertiwi E., Purba D., Widjayanti T., and Leksono, A., 2020, The diversity of entomopathogenic fungi collected from leaves and rhizospheres of rice implementing integrated pest management, Biodiversitas, 21. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d210642. Ali M.P., Clemente-Orta G., Kabir M.M.M., Haque S.S., Biswas M., and Landis D.A., 2023, Landscape structure influences natural pest suppression in a rice agroecosystem, Scientific Reports, 13: 15726. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-41786-y. Ansari M., Pope E., Carpenter S., Scholte E., and Butt T., 2011, Entomopathogenic fungus as a biological control for an important vector of livestock disease: the culicoides biting midge, PLoS ONE, 6. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0016108. Budiarti L., and Nuryanti N., 2022, Entomopathogenic fungus from rice rhizosphere soil in politeknik negeri lampung land, IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1012. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1012/1/012059. Dar S., Rather B., and Kandoo A., 2017, Insect pest management by entomopathogenic fungi, Journal of entomology and zoology studies, 5: 1185-1190. Iqbal J., Ahmad S., and Ali Q., 2021, A comparative study on the virulence of entomopathogenic fungi against Trogoderma granarium(Everts) (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) in stored grains rice.. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia, 82: e250778. https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.250778. Jaber L., and Ownley B., 2018, Can we use entomopathogenic fungi as endophytes for dual biological control of insect pests and plant pathogens, Biological Control, 116: 36-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BIOCONTROL.2017.01.018.
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