Application and antagonistic mechanisms of atoxigenic strains for the management of fungal plant diseases.

This review covers, for the first time, all methods based on the use of strains as biocontrol agents for the management of plant diseases caused by fungi and oomycetes. Atoxigenic strains have been screened in a variety of hosts, such as peanuts, maize kernels, and legumes, during the preharvest and postharvest stages. These strains have been screened against a wide range of pathogens, such as , , and species, suggesting a broad applicability spectrum. The highest efficacies were generally observed when using non-toxigenic strains for the management of mycotoxin-producing strains. The modes of action included the synthesis of antifungal metabolites, such as kojic acid and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), secretion of hydrolytic enzymes, competition for space and nutrients, and induction of disease resistance. strains degraded sclerotia, showing high control efficacy against this pathogen. Collectively, although two strains have been commercialized for aflatoxin degradation, a new application of strains is emerging and needs to be optimized.