On May 23, 2025, Dr. Flávio Henrique Vasconcelos de Medeiros, Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology and Director of the Office of International Affairs at the Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), Brazil, was invited to deliver a special lecture for the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology at NTU, titled “Unlocking Nature's Arsenal: Biocontrol Strategies for Sustainable Tropical Agriculture in Brazil.”
Dr. Medeiros is a leading expert in the field of biological control of plant diseases. His research covers a wide range of applied topics, including the selection of biocontrol microorganisms, evaluation of their efficacy, elucidation of mechanisms of action, and development of large-scale production systems. He currently serves as Associate Editor of the international journal Crop Health, and formerly held the position of Associate Editor for biocontrol at Tropical Plant Pathology. His extensive academic experience affords him deep insight into current research trends and a strong international perspective.
Brazil, situated in the tropical zone, is endowed with rich agricultural resources and is a major global producer of crops such as sugarcane, grains, soybean, maize, coffee, cocoa, and citrus fruits. As the world's fourth-largest exporter of agricultural and livestock products, Brazil has invested significantly in the promotion of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Dr. Medeiros contextualized this national policy by introducing the structure and features of Brazil's agricultural system.
He further shared the fruitful outcomes of his research team in the development and application of microbial biocontrol agents, particularly Trichoderma spp., which have demonstrated effectiveness in managing a variety of fungal and bacterial diseases in tropical crops. He explained the multifaceted mechanisms involved in these successes, including antibiotic production, competitive exclusion, and hyperparasitism.
Moreover, Dr. Medeiros emphasized that combining specific microbial agents, such as Trichoderma and Bacillus spp., and integrating them with organic amendments or selected chemical inputs can lead to more effective and practically viable IPM strategies for crop disease management. In parallel, his team has been analyzing the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of disease-suppressive soils to identify key inhibitory factors against soilborne fungal pathogens, with the goal of incorporating these insights into broader disease control systems.
The lecture sparked lively discussion among faculty and students. Topics included the synergistic application of different biocontrol agents, their potential ecological impacts on agroecosystems, and Brazil's regulatory framework for the introduction and registration of biocontrol products. Dr. Medeiros and visiting experts from the World Vegetable Center also participated in fruitful, multi-perspective exchanges.
We extend our sincere appreciation to Dr. Medeiros for generously sharing Brazil's experience in advancing the application of biocontrol technologies in tropical agriculture. As Taiwan straddles both subtropical and tropical regions and confronts the mounting challenges of global climate change, the strategies and insights presented offer valuable references for our agricultural transformation—toward enhanced sustainability and the long-term preservation of ecological and environmental resources.