Editorial SI EJPP 2023 (Biocontrol using beneficial fungi and bacteria)

Abstract

Agriculture is facing several big challenges: to feed a constantly rising global population, to increase productivity based on sustainable agricultural, preserving the environment and population health. World commodities cultivating areas may be expanded to satisfy the global needs, but the use of natural areas for agriculture is negatively impacting on the environment, causing displacements of animals, disappearance of native flora and climate perturbations. All these conditions, in addition to the increasing demand of consumers for healthy, organic, pesticides free food, makes it quite difficult to feed an increasing population. Moreover, the impact of chemical pesticides on the environment and the reduction of their effectiveness against pathogens due to resistance development, generates the need for alternative strategies with less impact on the environment and reduced chances of resistance.