BIOLOGICAL METHODS FOR DISEASE CONTROL OF CUCUMBER (CUCUMIS SATIVUS L.) IN PROTECTED CULTIVATION: CURRENT STATE AND PROSPECTS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/naturaljournal.13.2025.27Keywords:
pathogens, oomycetes, antagonistic microorganisms, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, resistance, environmental safetyAbstract
Cucumber diseases under greenhouse conditions remain a serious threat to production, while conventional chemical protection methods are associated with significant environmental and economic risks, necessitating the search for alternative solutions. The purpose of this review is to systematize current knowledge on biological methods for cucumber disease control in protected cultivation. It has been established that the main causative agents are fungal pathogens (Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium spp.) and oomycetes (Pseudoperonospora cubensis), which cause root rots, wilting, and foliar diseases, with potential yield losses of up to 70%. Modern biological protection of cucumbers in protected cultivation is based on the use of antagonistic microorganisms (fungi and bacteria), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and commercial preparations based on them. Biological control involving Trichoderma spp., Bacillus spp., and Pseudomonas spp. ensures high effectiveness through a combination of antagonism, mycoparasitism, and stimulation of plant systemic resistance. Additionally, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhance cucumber resistance to soil-borne pathogens, improving mineral nutrition and the general physiological state of plants. It is concluded that biological methods are environmentally safe, do not lead to toxic residue accumulation in products, do not contribute to pathogen resistance development, and can be used over extended periods. The highest effectiveness is achieved through integrated protection systems that combine biological agents with agronomic practices, the use of resistant cultivars, and optimization of growing conditions. At the same time, biological agents require preventive application and consideration of environmental factors. The prospects for developing biological protection involve creating new highly effective strains, locally adapted formulations, and the integration of biotechnological and genetic approaches. The expediency of implementing biological methods as an effective alternative to chemical agents has been substantiated, aligning with the principles of environmental safety and sustainable agricultural development. Recommendations are provided for improving the effectiveness of biological products in cucumber protection systems in protected cultivation.
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