1. Ecosystem services of entomopathogenic ascomycetes.
- Author
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Quesada-Moraga, Enrique, Garrido-Jurado, Inmaculada, González-Mas, Natalia, and Yousef-Yousef, Meelad
- Subjects
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SUSTAINABLE agriculture , *ASCOMYCETES , *AGRICULTURE , *AGRICULTURAL conservation , *INSECT pest control , *ECOLOGICAL impact , *ABIOTIC stress , *ECOSYSTEM services - Abstract
[Display omitted] • Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are a key component of the agroecosystem microbiota. • EPF are multipurpose microorganisms for sustainable agriculture. • EPF contribute directly and indirectly to insect pest control. • EPF establish plant relationships and produce different benefits for crops. • EPF are a source of bioactive compounds and harbor keys to a circular economy. Entomopathogenic ascomycetes (EA) are an important part of the microbiota in most terrestrial ecosystems, where they can be found regulating natural populations of arthropod pests in both epigeous and hypogeous habitats while also establishing unique relationships with plants. These fungi offer direct benefits to agriculture and human welfare. In the present work, we conducted a systematic review to comprehensively assess the range of ecosystem services provided by EA, including direct and indirect pest biocontrol, plant growth promotion, plant defense against other biotic and abiotic stresses, nutrient cycling, and the production of new bioactive compounds with agricultural, pharmaceutical and medical importance. Moreover, EA are compatible with the ecosystem services provided by other microbial and macrobial biocontrol agents. This systematic review identified the need for future research to focus on evaluating the economic value of the ecological services provided by EA with a special emphasis on hypocrealean fungi. This evaluation is essential not only for the conservation but also for better regulation and exploitation of the benefits of EA in promoting agricultural sustainability, reducing the use of chemicals that enter the environment, and minimizing the negative impacts of crop protection on the carbon footprint and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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