Plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) for controlling rice diseases: a sustainable approach

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a major staple crop, feeding over half of the global population. However, its production is often compromised by biotic stressors, particularly fungal and bacterial diseases, which can cause severe yield losses. While conventional chemical controls offer short-term effectiveness, they also lead to environmental degradation, pathogen resistance, and health risks for farmers and consumers. To address these challenges, plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) have emerged as a sustainable alternative for rice disease management. PGPF enhance plant immunity, outcompete pathogens, and promote growth through mechanisms such as competition for nutrients and space, mycoparasitism, antibiosis, and induced systemic resistance. This review examines the mechanisms by which PGPF suppress rice pathogens, highlights their environmental and economic benefits, and addresses challenges to their practical application. Further research is essential to enable the widespread adoption of PGPF-based strategies in rice production systems.