Mushroom Technology for Biocontrol

Fungi belong to the order Eucarya and the class Fungi. They can be multicellular or unicellular and play crucial roles in the environment. Due to their great genetic and metabolic diversity, fungi have several functions. They act as decomposers of organic matter, playing an essential role in nutrient cycling and energy flow in the soil. In addition, they find applications in agriculture. Modern agriculture faces multiple challenges, with the reduction in production costs and environmental impact being the main factors. The excessive and continuous use of chemical fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides impacts the environment without necessarily improving productivity. Currently, the pressure to increase and maintain yields has led to a considerable increase in the use of pesticides, resulting in the emergence of resistant insects and several diseases caused by phytopathogens. The use of filamentous fungi that promote plant growth has been shown to be an effective way to mitigate the occurrence of these diseases. This chapter aims to present recent research on the application of fungi to reduce the incidence of diseases in rice and maize crops. In addition, the modes of action of these fungal microorganisms are discussed, as are new strategies for improving the efficiency of their application. Here, we discuss new advances in these areas and emphasize the future potential and limitations regarding the use of filamentous fungi for plant production.