Enhancing crop disease management through integrating biocontrol bacteria and silicon fertilizers: Challenges and opportunities.

To achieve sustainable disease management in agriculture, there's a growing interest in using beneficial microorganisms as alternatives to chemical pesticides. Bacteria, in particular, have been extensively studied as biological control agents, but their inconsistent performance and limited availability hinder broader adoption. Research continues to explore innovative biocontrol technologies, which can be enhanced by combining silicon (Si) with biocontrol plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Both biocontrol PGPR and Si demonstrate effectiveness in reducing plant disease under stress conditions, potentially leading to synergistic effects when used together. This review examines the individual mechanisms by which biocontrol PGPR and Si fertilizers manage plant diseases, emphasizing their roles in enhancing plant defense and decreasing disease incidence. Various Si fertilizer sources allow for flexible application methods, suitable for different target diseases and plant species. However, challenges exist, such as inconsistent soil Si data, lack of standardized soil tests, and limited availability of Si fertilizers. Addressing these issues necessitates collaborative efforts to develop improved Si fertilizers and tailored application strategies for specific cropping systems. Additionally, exploring silicate-solubilizing biocontrol bacteria to enhance Si availability in soils introduces intriguing research avenues. Investigating these bacteria's diversity and mechanisms can optimize Si access for plants and bolster disease resistance. Overall, combining biocontrol PGPR and Si fertilizers or silicate-solubilizing biocontrol bacteria shows promise for sustainable agriculture, enhancing crop productivity while reducing reliance on chemical inputs and promoting environmental sustainability.