Advances in bioprotection of plants against diseases

Part 1 Advances in techniques for identifying and developing bioprotectants

• 1.Techniques for understanding and modifying microbial activity in the phytobiome to suppress disease/promote plant disease resistance: Angela Records, Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research, USA;
• 2.Improving biosafety testing of plant protection products (PPPs) and bioprotectants: Jonathan Willow, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, USA; and Guy Smagghe, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)/Ghent University, Belgium/Southwest University/Guizhou University, China;
• 3.Developing a global regulatory regime for bioprotectants: Imme Gerke, IDRG Plant Protection, Germany;

Part 2 Advances in the use of bioprotection agents

• 4.Harnessing Actinobacteria for crop protection: current advances and future perspectives: Louise Thatcher and Marta Gallart, CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Australia;
• 5.Exploring Clonostachys rosea: a versatile fungal biocontrol agent for effective plant disease management: Cameron Scott and Zamir K. Punja, Simon Fraser University, Canada;
• 6.The use of Pythium oligandrum as a biocontrol agent: Kun Yang, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China; Siqi Niu and Qing Yu, Nanjing Agricultural University, China; Xiaobo Li, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China; Maofeng Jing, Nanjing Agricultural University, China;
• 7.Effective biocontrol of grape diseases: assessing and improving efficacy: V. Altieri, P. Battilani, M. Camardo Leggieri, G. Fedele, T. Ji, V. Rossi and I. Salotti, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy;
• 8.Disease management in cereals using biocontrol agents: Alexander Schouten, Wageningen University, The Netherlands;
• 9.Advances in the use of biocontrol agents to control diseases in potatoes: Jianjun Hao and Lijie Teng, University of Maine, USA; and Xiaoyu Zhang, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, China;
• 10.Advances in bioherbicides/biological control of weeds: Te Ming Tseng, Varsha Singh, Worlanyo Segbefia, Ncomiwe Maphalala, Tabata D. Oliveira, and Ziming Yue, Mississippi State University, USA;

Dr Shashi Sharma is an internationally recognised thought leader in plant biosecurity, food security, bioprotection strategy, and planetary health. He is currently a member of the Biosecurity Council of Western Australia, advising on policies to safeguard agriculture and trade. With over 40 years of experience, Dr Sharma has contributed significantly to global food security through his leadership in biosecurity, plant health, and sustainable agriculture. He has held pivotal roles, including President of the World BioProtection Forum, Chairman of the World BioProtection Research Foundation, and Professor and Chair in Biosecurity and Food Security. He was the Founder and Co-Director of the Australia-China Centre for Biotic and Abiotic Stress Management and served as an Adjunct Professor at Murdoch University.

Dr Minshad Ansari is CEO of Bionema, a leading UK company developing new biocontrol products. He has over 25 years’ experience in bioprotection research, development and commercialisation, particularly in the area of entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes. Dr Ansari is Founder and Chair of the World Bioprotection Forum (WBF). Dr Ansari is also an Honorary Research Fellow at Swansea University, UK.

“Like a physician or a veterinarian, this book establishes a genuine biological diagnosis and an ecological prescription. It observes, analyses, and guides, not towards the domination of plants, but towards their healing through natural means. As a true manual of phytosanitary bioprotection, it stands as a reference for researchers, agronomists, and producers who seek to identify plant pathologies and to select suitable biological treatments. Yet beyond protocols and methods, this book conveys an essential message: sustainability is not born of domination, but of listening. To listen to nature is already to collaborate with it.” (Book Review Published in Natural Built Social Environment Health)