Mycoviruses Application in Biocontrol of Fugal Pathogens

Mycoviruses or fungal parasitic viruses have dsDNA, dsRNA or ssRNA genome. Some of these viruses have a restricted host range and can infect certain strains of host species. In contrast, some other viruses have wider host range and can infect different species of a fungal family. In most cases these viruses are transmitted by anastomosis of mycelium. In a phenomenon called hypovirulence, most of these viruses decrease the virulence of their host fungus. Discovery of hypovirulence revealed the biocontrol ability of mycoviruses. In summary, mycoviruses could be implemented as powerful agents for biocontrol of fungal pathogens and induction of resistance in plants.