Fungi and bacteria in biological control against pathogens

Sa？etak Because of the constant increase in the use of chemical pesticides and their harmful effects on human health and the environment, the growing interest in the use of alternative methods for biological control of plant pathogens is increasing Biological control is a measure that involves microorganisms that reduce the population of pests and pathogens, thus protect the plant and control the development of the disease. In Croatia, there is only one biofungicide on the market based on the genus Pseudomonas, and it was registered in 2017 for the suppression of white foot root (Rhizoctonia solani) on potato, sweet potato, Jerusalem artichoke and Chinese yam and tuber rupture (Helminthosporium solani). Species Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens are the most important representatives of the bacteria involved in the biocontrol against plant diseases. To date, there are present or are in the process of registering 28 strains based on different strains of Trichoderma species, most of which are active against phytopathogenic fungus from genus Pythium, Rhizoctonia and Fusarium. The most common species of the genus Trichoderma used in biological control are Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma koningii. The use of antagonistic fungi and bacteria in the biological control of many pathogens are an important alternative in substituting chemical pesticides and reducing their application to a greater extent. The aim of this paper is to show latter antagonistic fungi and bacteria used in biological control and describe their complex mechanisms of action