Microbial Volatile Compounds: Prospects for Fungal Phytopathogens Management, Mechanisms and Challenges

Substantial economic losses of crops occur annually because of abiotic and biotic stresses that affect crop plants. Microbial volatile compounds (MVCs) are promising candidates for use in agriculture owing to their ability to constrain phytopathogens, induce resistance, and promote plant growth. Application of commercial synthetic insecticides and fungicides can damage the environment and adversely affect human health. In recent years, the use of MVCs to control plant diseases in vegetables and fruits has become an attractive alternative to synthetic chemicals. MVCs possess antifungal and insecticidal properties, which can be used to control plant diseases caused by phytopathogenic fungi and insects. MVCs also promote plant growth and help plants to combat adverse stress conditions. This review summarizes the importance of volatiles emitted by various microorganisms as well as recent advances in understanding the antifungal mechanisms adopted by MVCs and their use in agriculture to promote crop productivity.