Chaetomium spp.: A multifaceted fungal biocontrol agent for sustainable management of crop diseases

In recent years, consumers have grown increasingly apprehensive about the adverse effects of chemical fungicides on both human health and the environment. Consequently, there has been a surge of interest among researchers globally in exploring alternative methods to safeguard crops. Chaetomium species have emerged as effective biological control agents (BCAs) for the management of plant diseases specifically fungus, nematode and insect, providing sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to chemical fungicides. However, it is important to recognize that some natural substances, including certain metabolites produced by biocontrol agents, may also contain toxic compounds that pose risks to non-target organisms. This review scrutinizes the multifaceted role of Chaetomium spp. in promoting plant growth, inducing systemic resistance and suppressing plant diseases, while also addressing the need to assess the safety of their bioactive metabolites. It discusses the diversity of Chaetomium spp and interaction with plants focusing on physiological mechanisms. Advances in molecular characterization techniques have enabled the differentiation and identification of diverse Chaetomium species, each possessing unique biocontrol attributes. Biosynthetic gene cluster of Chaetomium spp. are responsible for producing a wide array of secondary metabolites with bioactive properties. Chaetomium employ various biocontrol strategies such as antibiosis, competition and mycoparasitism to counteract the presence of competing pathogens, effectively hindering their growth. These mechanisms entail the production of specific metabolites such as antibiosis, induction of disease resistance through defense related enzymes and cell wall degrading enzymes to hinder the development of rival pathogens in plants. Chaetomium spp. are widely recognized as versatile and effective biocontrol agents against a broad spectrum of plant pathogens.