Potential of Lecanicillium uredinophilum as a Biocontrol Agent of Hemileia vastatrix: A Review Compared with Other Biological Control Agents

Coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix) is a major constraint on coffee production, while reliance on chemical fungicides raises environmental concerns and may become less sustainable over time. This review critically analyzes the available evidence on the potential of Lecanicillium uredinophilum as a biological control agent against H. vastatrix, with comparative consideration of other microbial agents evaluated for coffee leaf rust management. A structured literature review was conducted using searches in Scopus and PubMed, complemented by manual searches and reference screening. The available evidence indicates that L. uredinophilum shows affinity for urediniospore structures and exhibits mycoparasitic activity against rust fungi under controlled conditions. However, direct evidence against H. vastatrix remains limited and is still concentrated mainly in laboratory and greenhouse studies. In comparison with more established biocontrol agents, L. uredinophilum should be regarded as a promising but still early-stage candidate whose practical relevance has not yet been validated. Future progress will depend on robust field-based studies, improved understanding of its mechanisms of action, evaluation of its environmental stability, and the development of viable formulations compatible with integrated disease management strategies.