Biological control of the most common wheat fungal diseases: modes‐of‐action of microbial antagonists, challenges and future perspectives

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production is severely threatened by a range of fungal pathogens that greatly constrain the plant health, grain quality and overall yield. Current strategies for managing wheat fungal diseases primarily rely on host resistance breeding, chemical fungicides and cultural practices. The effectiveness of these conventional approaches is increasingly hampered by the slow pace of genetic improvement, the rapid emergence of fungicide-resistant pathogen populations, and the continuous evolution of pathogen virulence. These constraints demand integrating environmentally sustainable and ecologically sound methods into existing disease management frameworks, with biological control (BC) representing a promising approach. In the last decade, research on the BC of wheat fungal diseases has expanded considerably, with numerous microbial antagonists demonstrating strong antifungal activity in both in vitro assays and glasshouse evaluations. However, practical field application remains limited by a spectrum of challenges. This review synthesizes existing literature from 1996 to 2026 on the reported microbial antagonists against targeted wheat fungal diseases. Additionally, we discuss critical research needs necessary to improve performance and achieve maximum efficacy of microbial antagonists against wheat-associated fungal diseases. These insights are valuable for researchers, practitioners and policymakers striving to advance sustainable and inclusive microbial management solutions to address wheat fungal threats. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.