Application of Medicinal Mushroom Metabolites in Controlling Fungal Phytopathogens: A Review

Medicinal mushrooms, mainly belonging to Agaricomycetes, produce bioactive metabolites with significant potential for sustainable fungal pathogen control in agriculture. This review synthesizes evidence on antifungal peptides, polysaccharides, and volatile compounds from species such as Lentinula edodes, Pleurotus spp., and Ganoderma lucidum. These metabolites exhibit direct antagonism against major fungal phytopathogens such as Fusarium oxysporum and Botrytis cinerea by disrupting cell walls, membranes, and protein synthesis, while simultaneously inducing systemic plant resistance through enhanced defense enzyme activity and gene expression. Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) further suppresses disease via microbial competition and residual bioactives, improving soil health. Despite promising in vitro efficacy, limited in vivo field trials restrict practical adoption. Further research is essential to characterize, standardize, and validate these metabolites under field conditions to develop targeted, low-risk biocontrol agents. This approach supports integrated pest management, reduces reliance on synthetic fungicides, and advances agroecological resilience.

کلیدواژه ها:

Antifungal activity ، Bioactive metabolites ، Integrated pest management ، Plant defense induction ، Sustainable crop protection