Plant Fungal Diseases and Crop Protection

Fungal pathogens significantly impact global crop production by infecting plants through leaves, seeds, and roots. Traditional chemical pesticides raise environmental concerns and face emerging resistance, prompting sustainable strategies like biological control agents (BCAs), including Trichoderma and Bacillus species. Innovative technologies such as microbiome engineering, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence (AI), genome editing, RNA interference, and advanced molecular diagnostics enhance precise fungal disease management. The discussed Special Issue features research on pathogens affecting diverse crops and novel biocontrol methods. Continued research and practical applications are crucial for securing crop health, food security, and sustainable agriculture amid global challenges like climate change.