Towards unlocking the biocontrol potential of Pichia kudriavzevii for plant fungal diseases: in vitro and in vivo assessments with candidate secreted protein prediction.

Background: Plant fungal pathogens cause substantial economic losses through crop yield reduction and post-harvest storage losses. The utilization of biocontrol agents presents a sustainable strategy to manage plant diseases, reducing the reliance on hazardous chemical. Recently, Pichia kudriavzevii has emerged as a promising biocontrol agent because of its capacity to inhibit fungal growth, offering a potential solution for plant disease management.