Special Issue: Algae and cyanobacteria: prospects and challenges for plant disease management

Plant pathogens are responsible for many diseases that severely affect crops and limit agricultural production and storage of fruits and vegetables. The disease control is traditionally based on the use of synthetic products representing a major constraint for human, animal and environment health. Consideration of alternative approaches to synthetic products is strongly encouraged by national and international rules. Among the new products, natural algae and cyanobacteria by-products are the focus of considerable research and market interest in their bioactive compound. Nowadays, many algae and cyanobacteria products are already marketed as biofertilizers, as they improve plant vigor and productivity. Moreover, the ever-increasing knowledge of these biostimulant effects has led to study new interesting approaches to counteract plant pathogens. Recent research pointed out the potential of bioactive substances derived from algae and cyanobacteria against plant pathogens and as inducers of plant systemic resistance. The purpose of this Special Issue on “"Algae and cyanobacteria: prospects and challenges for plant disease management” is to present the latest scientific findings dealing with various aspects of potential application of macro-and micro-algae and cyanobacteria and their bioactive compounds against pre and post-harvest diseases, and their impact on plant and fruit physiology and biochemistry that may be related to plant resistance against biotic stresses