Main description (English)

Introduction Numerous pathogens may cause plant diseases, which are a global problem and generate considerable losses in agriculture. Chemical pesticides remain the primary control method, but their overuse has caused significant environmental and health concerns. Eco-friendly agricultural practices and materials are urgently needed. Developing novel biocontrol agent materials couldgreatly reduce dependence on conventional pesticides. Nanotechnology offers innovative solutions, as polymer fibers with micro- and nanoscale diameters exhibit unique properties such as high specific surface area and porous structures, and can be produced efficiently using electrospinning techniques. Encapsulation of biocontrol agents via electrospinning provides considerable advantages for agricultural applications. In this study, we developed innovative biohybrid materials as biocontrol formulations using electrospinning, electrospraying, and/or dip-coating techniques. Experimental part Microbial species including Bacillus, Trichoderma, and various yeasts were encapsulated in biopolymer fibrous matrices composed of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), poly(L lactide) (PLA), cellulose derivatives [1], and chitosan [2,3]. Results and Discussion Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyse the morphology of the biohybrid materials and encapsulated microorganisms, while ATR-FTIR spectroscopy confirmed their surface chemical composition. Mechanical properties of the materials were also evaluated. Viability tests demonstrated that the polymer carriers supported normal growth of the bioagents and preserved their viability during long term storage. Conclusion These results highlight the potential of electrospun biohybrid polymer materials as effective biocontrol formulations, offering promising applications for plant protection and growth promotion in sustainable agriculture. Keywords: electrospinning, electrospraying, dip-coating, biopolymers, biocontrol agents Acknowledgements: This research was funded under the Grant BG-RRP-2.011-0005-C01 with financial support from the European Union-NextGenerationEU, Investment C2.I2 “Increasing the innovation capacity of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in the field of green and digital technologies”. Part of the research equipment of Distributed Research Infrastructure INFRAMAT, part of the Bulgarian National Roadmap for Research Infrastructures, supported by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science was partially used in this study.