Work

Integrating molecular virology, biotechnological innovations, and living biological control agents for sustainable crop protection

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Plant viruses pose a serious threat to global agricultural output and food security, resulting in substantial reductions in yield and quality of major agronomic crops. Climate change, growing trade, and evolving pathogen populations are aggravating these difficulties by facilitating the creation of new viruses and the expansion of existing ones into new ecological zones. Meanwhile, transformative innovations in molecular biology and biotechnology are paving the way to investigate, identify, and mitigate these infections. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in plant virology and crop protection, pinpointing the ecological factors influencing viral emergence and the impacts of climate change on virus-vector-host interactions. It discusses advanced molecular techniques for improving plant resistance, including CRISPR/Cas genome editing, RNA interference (RNAi), synthetic biology, and epigenetic modifications. Crucially, the review discusses the integration of these molecular tools with living biological control agents, demonstrating how engineered crops can enhance habitat management strategies to recruit natural enemies, predators, and parasitoids for direct suppression of virus vectors. Furthermore, it explores the integration of high-throughput omics technology, genomic selection, and rapid breeding into modern plant breeding programs to accelerate the development of resilient cultivars. The effective implementation of these strategies necessitates overcoming extensive regulatory variability, biosafety assessment protocols, and intricate socioeconomic obstacles concerning public acceptance and proportional access. The review highlights the urgent need for global cooperation, harmonized science-based regulatory framework, and the adoption of climate-smart integrated management approaches. Additionally, leveraging artificial intelligence, monitoring systems, and advanced breeding tools will be crucial for developing sustainable and virus-resistant agricultural systems to ensure food security.

Source: The Microbe

DOI: 10.1016/j.microb.2026.100784