Biological composition for use against plant fungicidal infections

Plant pathogens are a significant threat to the productivity and quality of plants and plant products, resulting in substantial losses for the agricultural sector. As a result, the agricultural sector is highly reliant on synthetic fungicides to control fungal diseases. However, in line with the climate plan European Green Deal and Regulation 2018/848 of the European Parliament and the Council, there is a growing need for EU member states to promote sustainable agricultural practices that will minimize the adverse effects of chemicals on the environment, human health, and the development of resistant pathogenic strains. Biocontrol, a new alternative agriculture management technique that utilizes microbes or microbial metabolites instead of conventional fungicides, has emerged as a promising technique. Herein we report a new strategy, GRADE, using a formula consisting of substances produced by microorganisms and natural ingredients to effectively contain the growth of plant pathogenic fungi in vitro and in vivo, using as an example the pathogenic fungus Alternaria sp. for tomato plants under conventional or hydroponic culture conditions. Overall, GRADE offers an effective and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fungicides and represents a promising strategy for sustainable plant pathogen management in general. However, collaborations are needed to advance the implementation of GRADE toward more sustainable agriculture practices.