Fungal Pathogen as Potent Toxin for Pest and Disease Control 2.0

Dear Colleagues,

The use of fungi in controlling pest and disease is a unique technique. Even though there are many species of fungi that are pathogenic to pest and disease, only a limited number have been studied, and only six have been registered for pest and disease. Hence, extensive research must be carried out. Some attempts have been made to utilize fungi in controlling insects and disease, but with the development of insecticides and disease killers, the search for potent biocontrol agents has decreased since synthetic chemical sprays are comparatively low-priced and effective. However, in the last three decades, problems such as insect resistance and resurgence and their limited biodegradability in the ecosystem have brought about a regeneration in biocontrol agents such as entomopathogenic fungi. Most species of fungi that have been studied belong to the Entomophthorales (Zygomycota). This order contains a great number of species of fungi that are parasitic on insects. The quantity of species of fungi, pathogenic to the plant disease and insects, are not only huge, but also characterized in almost all taxonomic groups with the omission of some Basidiomycota and Deuteromycota. The pathogenicity of these species is fairly variable, ranging all the way to species which are obligate pathogens.

This Special Issue intends to gather the most recent and original research and review papers on the identification, development, and exploitation of fungal pathogen against insect pests and plant disease through their mode action, including but not limited to molecular characterization, biology, physiology, and biochemistry.

Prof. Dr. Sengottayan Senthil-Nathan
Dr. Sengodan Karthi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Fungi is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• entomopathogenic fungi 
• Entomophthorales–Zygomycota 
• secondary metabolites 
• mycotoxin 
• Metarhizium
• dextrin
• Beauveria
• fungal antagonists