Abstract

The control of plant diseases is generally done with the application of synthetic pesticides; however, their use causes problems of environmental contamination and human and animal health. Biocontrol through the application of microbial antagonists is an option to the use of synthetic pesticides. Antagonistic microorganisms have been isolated from various environments and have shown to have a high efficiency in the control of diseases in plants, surpassing the effect of synthetic pesticides. The various antagonistic mechanisms of microorganisms allow an efficient control of phytopathogens. The application of microbial antagonists is an option in the integrated management of plant diseases to a sustainable agriculture.