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Potential of three physically different formulations of biocontrol agent Thrichoderma harzianum199 was investigated in a field trial against wheat common bunt caused by Tilletia laevis Kühn. Wheat seeds of cv. Chamran were treated with liquid, semi-solid (gel mixed suspension) and solid (talc powder) formulations prior to planting. Field practices were performed based on Khuzestan wheat planting schedule and no chemical was used until harvesting. The results of analyzed data showed significant effect of formulation type on common bunt incidence. Tetraconazole (chemical check) showed common bunt reduction (97.7%) and among bio-formulations, gel-mixed suspension was significant in disease reduction (43.41%), but it was next to talc and liquid formulation in yield, harvested weight, healthy spikes and stem height. Talc formulation reduced bunt infection (39.07%) and showed better than gel mixed suspension in yield and some yield components. Conversely, liquid formulation enhanced bunt incidence (25.31%) but was almost same as the talc and better than gel formulation in yield and yield components. General findings of this experiment indicate that physical form of T. harzianum 199 formulation can effectively influence both common bunt prevention and agronomic potential of Chamran wheat cultivar.

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Fungal plant diseases can severely damage oil palm crops and compromise agricultural yields. To ensure a high crop yield while keeping the fungal pathogens at bay, microbial control to combat such diseases offers a more sustainable alternative to chemical control. It is safer to replace chemical fungicides with eco-friendly bio formulations containing living fungi or bacteria and their products to manage fungal infestations on plants, especially oil palm. This is because natural antagonistic microorganisms/substances form components of biofungicides and protect plants by various modes of action such as hyperparasitism, antibiosis and/or by induction of systemic resistance. Microbial agents’ application in managing fungal plant diseases, especially oil palm crop diseases, promises a safer and sustainable agricultural system to control fungal phytopathogens while ecologically less polluting. This article briefly describes the different bioformulations and the mechanism of action of microbial agents to manage fungal phytopathogens of crops, especially in oil palm. A summary of various merits and demerits of biofungicides over synthetic ones and the future outlooks are also highlighted. Bio-based microbial agents for controlling fungal phytopathogens, especially in oil palm plants, appear to be a promising fungal pest management approach considering the growing need for sustainable practices in the agronomic sector.